Jimmy's Blog

The Group Goes Public!?!?!?

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Mon, 05 May 2008 23:30:00 -0500

Gee, Dale...I have mixed emotions about this group going public. Although I can see it is probably for the best, I kind of miss the good ol' days, when the group was young and secluded and we could say things about folks with relative impunity. At any rate, I'm glad to see that Bob Eliott made it in during my period of extended absence. Hey, Bob! Obviously, you can't keep a good man down....for long.

Now that we have gone public, I find myself salivating over the potential number of great marketing ideas that might now be presented to us all by inspectors far and wide. Lord knows, there are enough of us with plenty of time on our hands that we can now spend hours and hours sitting around dreaming up ways to grab a portion of whatever of the market remains. But in the end, there simply aren't any magic bullets. Here's the whole thing in a nutshell:

Make yourself known to as many people as you can. Keep reminding them that you are alive, well, willing, and able. Every chance you get, make some kind of contact somewhere. Be honest and sincere, and always put out a quality product. Even then, especially in the current environment, you may go belly-up. Diversify...be willing to do lots of different things for whatever profit there may be. Home inspections alone in most markets just won't cut it right now.

If you happen to be competitive, and in this business you'd better be, one way of thinking about this is that there's a war out there, be prepared to win it. Being a history buff, I like to think of the marketing wars in simple terms, as US Grant did. When asked once about his philosophy of war, he replied, "Find out where your enemy is. Go to him, and hit him as hard as you can with everything you've got. And keep on moving."

Now, there was a man with a plan! Obviously, it worked.

Dawgs Roll Tide

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 21:36:05 -0600

To all the disheartened, disillusioned, dispelled and dismissed Alabama fans (and their $4 million dollar man), I offer the following poem:

Roll, Tide, roll.

Around the hole, and down the bowl,

Roll, Tide, roll.

A big Mississippi State Athletic Supporter.

Papa's Porch

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 11:28:22 -0600

The Porch made Grandaddy (Papa) Breazeale's place complete, I think.

A place from which to enjoy the power and beauty and freshness of a summer rainstorm,

without getting wet,

A place that served as a cool retreat for Papa's old fox hounds.

"John Jackson Sampson Breazeale, them dogs gon' waller all the dirt from under them foundation rocks if you don't do somethin' 'bout it!"

It was a place for working or talking, and sometimes the work and talk happened at the same time.

"Now, you grandyoungin's spread them peas out better'n that, so's they don't go through a heat!"

Hours spent rocking and pea shelling and talking on Papa's Porch are firmly etched memories. And listening. Did I mention listening? Collective listening, taking place unconsiously within the cocophony of squeaking rockers and creaking floorboards and random gossip, all of which would stop suddenly in response to some event echoing through the hollers.

"Now, I wonder what in the world is got Ol' Man Burchfield's howgs all upset?"

It was big enough, and had enough straight chairs for all 42 first cousins, counting the dog-trot. I know this, because we were all there at once, once. For laughter, for reminiscing, reunion and tears when Mama Breazeale died in '56.

"I sure wish I had some 'o Mama's big 'ol cat head buiscuits!"

"Who's gon' take care 'o all Mama's roses?"

"Who's gon' take care 'o Papa?"

"Don't y'all thank they done a good job over at the funeral home? Don't she look natural?"

"Papa ain't gon' stay 'round here, I tell y'all that right now!"

After that, it all fell into disrepair, and eventually just fell, like a lot of other porches on a lot of other old family farmhouses all over the South. Sometimes, the paper companies bought the land, and bulldozed the houses because they were sitting on the best places for log landings. Sometimes, the Wisteria and Jasmine and Honeysuckle overtook them and weighed them down. And sometimes, like at Papa's place, they just slowly settled into the earth itself, covered, like a casket, by the pink and white and red blooms of now-wild climbing roses.

"And Time Shall Be No More..."

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 15:14:33 -0500

Do you remember, as a child, looking up into the sky and asking yourself the question, "Where does space end?" Nobody other than a physicist can come even close to answering that question, and even they have difficulty explaining what, if anything, lies beyond the theoretical end of space. For most of us, the concept of that end is inconceivable, and I humbly count myself in this number. Surely something, probably more space, lies beyond. Maybe it's heaven. Perhaps the end of space is the Pearly Gates. As ordinary human beings, we are generally restricted in our thoughts to that which we can see, hear, and touch. "We see the stars, we hear the rolling thunder," we can touch the rain. Our sight is limited to the three dimension of height, width, and depth, so naturally when children look into the night sky that first great philosophical question concerning the depth of space occurs to them. Modern physicists agree that there are probably 11 dimensions, possibly more, and multiple universes. Please excuse me if I can not quite wrap my mind around that concept, but I am going to attempt to address a fourth dimension, time.

I remember sitting in a middle school science class, and hearing Mr. Barnes explain how Albert Einstein had come up with a theory about time and space. According to Mr. Einstein, time and space are interwoven into a kind of fabric, and that light, other matter, and time itself can be manipulated, warped, slowed, or even stopped! He called it the "General Theory of Relativity." Woah!

.......................................................

Flash forward to a scenic two lane highway in North Mississippi, a couple of weeks ago. I like to sing as I drive, and I especially like "old timey" hymns. I was in the middle of "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder" when I was halted in mid-verse by a sudden thought. Heretofore, I had assumed that only the most gifted among us could grasp the concept of the end of time itself, and that only in the context of some sort of gigantic cataclysm of a hugely destructive physical nature, like a Black Hole or a Supernova. I don't know how I missed it all those years, but here, in the simple words of one of our most beloved gospel tunes, was the evidence that theologians, preachers, song writers, and just plain folks have possessed a grasp of the time/space concept long before physicists put it to a mathematical equation.

Ok, so terminology such as "the trumpet of the lord", or the morning dawning "eternal, bright, and fair" don't exactly qualify as empirical scientific terminology; and I firmly believe that pure science is one way in which God reveals to us specific snippets of his mind, in increments that He feels we can handle. I use the word "specifics", because I am also of the opinion that the basic concepts concerning time and space have already been revealed to us, albeit on a level which we can all understand.

As Christians, we are all taught that there is a heaven, and that there is an eternity. Space and Time. When we reach Heaven, our eternity begins. We can throw away our watches, because we won't have schedules or deadlines to meet. We won't need Inspectors or Realtors, either, or even a roof over our head, although the idea of having a mansion is a nice thought. My point is simply this: at that point in "time" when we reach the proverbial Pearly Gates, whatever their construct may be, time, for us, will simply stop. A further point is that no matter how much is revealed to us concerning the specifics of time and space from a scientific point of view, that simplest of concepts still holds true. James M. Black wrote "When The Roll Is Called Up Yonder" in 1893, long predating Einstein's theory or the subsequent theory of Quantum Mechanics, and essentially addresses those same issues of time and space....only in a manner which any child can understand.

So, we can all take comfort. Whether we are bombarded by gamma rays, or blasted into "oblivion" by a rock from space matters not. If human existence on this third rock survives until the Andromeda Galaxy and the Milky Way become inextricably intertwined, the basic fact won't change. We may become colonizers of the universe, folding space and utilizing worm holes to get from one galaxy to another in the blink of an eye. But for us as individuals, when our mortal existence comes to an end, we will have come full circle, and time shall be no more.

SEC fans

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:34:44 -0500

As an old Mississippi State Bulldogs Athletic Supporter, I have made many a trip to Starkville, Ms in my lifetime, and over the years I have noticed some distinct game personality traits unique to the fans of individual SEC schools. Now, this is likely to raise a stink with some folks, so let me toss in my disclaimer at the beginning. And bear in mind that these viewpoints are from a Bulldog perspective. A fan of another school my have an entirely different impression. In other words, the following observations are entirely the subjective opinion of the author. I will rank the several schools' fans in that subjective order, from the worst to the best. Also bear in mind that I may be just a bit prejudiced against some schools.

1) Ole Miss. Ole Miss fans are an odd mixture of doctors, lawyers, spoiled frat boys and flannel shirt-wearing local yokels. There does not seem to be much in between. The locals and frat boys are the most obnoxious, and are often in cahoots with fight-provoking behaviors like sitting in the first row, and standing for the entire game whether there is anything particularly exciting going on or not. When politely asked to take a seat, they will simply stare at you with toddy-bloodshot eyes. This is a common behavior at away games. Only the threat of being tossed over the upper ramparts, or, worse, escorted out of the stadium by security, will deter them. They do that stupid "Hoddy-Toddy" thing whether they're ahead by 14 or behind by 20. After the game, especially after a loss (which is often, these days), these same yokels enjoy walking down the ramps slowly, spreading out so as to make it difficult to pass them, Hoddy-Toddying all the way to the ground and beyond. In that part of the crowd that is mixed, no polite discussion of the game or individual players is possible.

As for the doctors and lawyers, they don't really give opposing fans too much trouble. They spend liesurely time before the game camped out in The Grove, discreetly sipping on Toddys, grinning from ear to ear. Most of the lawyers make maximum use of their time running for the legislature. The few professionals among them who are not doctors or lawyers are busy networking, doing things like prospecting for clients among the doctors and lawyers to sell securities or stakes in limited partnerships of all sorts. They are all extreme critics of the coaching staff, whether they've ever played a snap at any level or not. That's why they pi$$ed in their collective Toddys and ran David Cutcliff off back up to Tennessee.

2) Auburn. Auburn fans, to a man, are much like the Ole Miss frat boys/local yokel bunch. Their station in life doesn't seem to matter much when it comes to being obnoxious. Auburn fans like to come into your house as if they are the owners, and you are a mere tenant. They are loud, and their insults are often of a personal nature. Lots of them get whupped up on, especially on the road. They like Toddys almost as much as Ole Miss fans. Actually, they prefer Pabst Blue Ribbon, but this is most often not available, and can only be smuggled into the stadium under the dresses of their girlfriends. But this approach makes the beer hot, and if there is anything an Auburn fan hates, it's hot beer. Can't say I blame them for that. One thing that underscores my point concerning Auburn fans is that they actually like Tommy Tuberville. Nuff sed.

3) Alabama. These people are the walking defintions of the word "arrogance." They tote around those big foam hands with the index finger stuck up regardless of their position in the rankings. They still sell those funny hats like The Bear used to wear at all the games. For some inexplicable reason, most of them carry around their own roll of toilet paper and an empty box of Tide detergent. Something about hygiene, I guess. One particular tradition, started by The Bear himself, is the Faked Injury play. Alabama coaches pull this out of their hat whenever time is short, and they are out of time outs, and they are behind. Inevitably, they will send in some lacky on a play whose job it is to get into the pile and come up "injured." Of course, it is always of a nature that the trainers have to come out and minister to him for two or three minutes, thereby providing the team with a non-deserved time out. At the appropriate time, the injured player will miraculously jump up and jog to the sidelines. They tried that in Jackson in 1980. I know they did, because they sent in a guy with a perfectly clean jersey in the midst of a drive which would have won the game with mere seconds left. Unfortunately, Johnny Cooks ran over the center and right guard from his middle linebacker position and caused a fumble which the Bulldogs recovered with 4 seconds on the clock. I must tell you all, it was extremely gratifying to see those foam fingers pointed at the ground, and those smug looks turned to something akin to shell shock. Couldn't have happened to a more deserving bunch.

4) LSU. There is no detering this bunch, especially in Baton Rouge, where they get a three-day head start on obnoxiousness. The party usually starts on Wednesday evening, and continues well into the wee hours of Sunday morning. The particular combination of the consumption of vast quantities of wine/beer/old charter/vodka/cognac/gin/whatever and red beans and rice makes going to games in Baton Rouge an experience akin to something like attending the world wino convention in the world's largest tin pan alley. By game time, those not needing assistance to get to their seats are itching for a fight, and will give you one at the drop of a bottle of Mad Dog 20-20. I must say that they appear to reserve a particular wrath for Ole Miss fans, and to their credit usually treat Mississippi State fans fairly well, often sharing their red beans and rice and other Cajun goodies with us, and in turn we feed them ribs and chicken leg quarters at baseball games. For some odd reason which I've never been quite able to put my finger on, we seem to understand each other.

5) Florida. Florida fans are like a bunch of spoiled kids. Even before they started winning championships, they thought they were supposed to. Spurrier spoiled them especially well, then broke their hearts. They get all pokey-lipped when they lose. Having been witness to a generous helping of success against the Gators, I know this to be true. They travel well, usually in high-end motor homes bought with all that tourist and spring break money. On the road, they are tolerably well-behaved, but going to The Swamp is like stepping into a high-humidity hell. Seemingly sane individuals turn into blathering, foaming at the mouth ogres, and they will gleefully step on you while you are down. Oddly enough, they will then help you up and offer you a fruity concoction.

6) In no particular order, Arkansas, Kentucky, Vandy, South Carolina and Georgia. I have visited all these venues, and of course attended many games in Starkville when they were the guests of the Bulldogs. The only distinction I can make is that the South Carolina and Georgia folks seem to enjoy an inebriating beverage a bit more than the rest. They tend to be knowledgeable and fairly congenial folks for the most part, and of course Vandy's long and painful experience in the art of losing makes them especially endearing to State fans.

7) Tennessee. I have to hand it to the Vols. Whether at Neyland or somewhere else, these are the most knowledgeable, happy, friendly, and gracious fans the SEC has to offer. They will not step on you when you're down by 21, instead complimenting you on the better qualities of your team. They are rarely inebriated. One can feel entirely comfortable sitting among them, and they do not feel that orange and maroon are conflicting colors. Even when they lose to you, they smile. They understand there will be another game, another day.

8) Mississippi State. Ditto everything I said about Tennessee. Unless, of course, you don't like the sound of clanging cowbells.

Just a "Charming Cabin in the Woods"

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Sat, 04 Aug 2007 01:46:40 -0500

I thought some might be interested in some pics of a log cabin I inspected recently. For reasons that will become obvious, the client declined the full inspection after one trip around the exterior. Rotate pics 1, 3, & 5 to the right in yer head. The title of this blog was the title of the listing. Can you say...moisture? Mold? Bulldozer?

Overcharged!!

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 19:29:11 -0500

Ok, the word and exclamation points were intended to get your attention. Now that I have it, I have a question for A/C gurus. If a unit is overcharged, I know that it results in an up-and-down swing in head pressure. The question is, does this not also cause a corresponding swing in amperage draw? I await wise council.

The Lawyer's Prayer

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 19:06:02 -0500

Well, I have strained my brain thinking of something that all realtors and home inspectors have in common, and I think I've come up with it: Fear of lawsuits. Once I honed in on that, what followed was a cognitive leap past ethics, and I came up with this:

The Lawyer's Prayer

The law is my meal ticket, I shall not want,

It alloweth me to lie down in greenbacks,

It leadeth me to easy investments,

and restoreth my bank account.

It guideth me in the paths of litigation

for my own sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of tort reform,

I shall fear no legislative action,

For the Trial Lawyer's Association art with me.

The Law! It prepareth a large class-action suit settlement before me

In the presence of mine adversaries.

It anointeth my head with arrogance,

my bank account runneth over.

Surely continuous litigation and large contingency percentages shall follow me

All the days of my life,

And I shall dwell at the courthouse forever,

Amen

Disclaimer: The above passage is satire intended for entertainment purposes only, and is in no way intended to disparage, slander, libel, harm or otherwise raise the ire of any individual (especially lawyers) or organization (especially BIG law firms). The author concedes that there are many, many lawyers out there who do not do it for the money, and who would actually prefer to do all their work pro-bono, were it not for the need to make a living, and who would be more than happy to bill at much, much lower rates were it not for pressure from certain other colleagues. The author further recognizes and concedes the fact that we actually need lawyers to zealously guard The Constitution and keep the stock market afloat by investing all that extra cash.

Ranting About Carpentry Skills!!!

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Wed, 16 May 2007 20:46:49 -0500

It seems to me that the more I see out there, the more I become convinced that the level of carpentry skills has gradually been decreasing. Short cutting, inability to accurately cut correct angles in roof construction. I am speaking mainly of general framing skills, as custom cabinetry and trim work remains good, generally, though I do see a lot of "iffy" base and crown work. My Dad and Granddad both took pride in every cut. Just because it wouldn't or couldn't be seen made no difference. Both of them could run perfect hip framing without a hitch, and it would be tight with a capitol "T". I'm just wondering what you guys are seeing out there, or if (Lord forbid!) this is a regional thing.

I'm ranting about this!!! Are there no crews left who can run good hip framing? Can no one even run a straight cut of OSB without mangling the material? Without valleys waving in and out? What in Moses is going on!!? Are basic math and hand-eye coordination no longer required skills on the job site??? Or am I just too much of a stickler? I need validation, guys!!

If you think closing off crawlspace vents is saving you money, you're all wet!

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Tue, 08 May 2007 15:56:32 -0500

In today's economy, many people have become energy conscious. In order to save on those monthly energy bills, homeowners have come up with some creative ways to seal off their homes from the elements. Unfortunately, some of the common methods being employed are actually detrimental to the health of the home, and do little to accomplish the desired end. One of those methods is closing off or covering the crawlspace vents in the curtain wall.

It seems to make sense. Here in the south, insulation is rarely installed under the floor of a home with a conventional foundation. Our warm climate does not dictate the necessity. But in the winter, the idea of cold air circulating under your house makes you shiver, and that first winter energy bill makes you shudder! So, you reasonably figure that closing off those "pneumonia holes" all around the house will keep some of the warm air in, and the cold air out. Right? WRONG!

Closing off crawlspace venting does little for your bottom line on heating or cooling bills, and may have serious repurcussions as well. The purpose of all those holes in the side of your home is to allow air flow. The purpose of having air flow in your crawlspace is to prevent the accumulation of water vapor. The purpose of preventing this accumulation, in turn, is to prevent actual structural damage, discourage the growth of molds which may be detrimental to your health (especially small children!), and to encourage wood destroying insects to look elsewhere to establish a colony.

"Oh, come on!" you say. Surely a little water vapor can't do all that!! After all, we live in a humid climate here in the South. Humidity is everywhere. Yes, that is true, but here is what happens: When you close off those vents, you trap whatever moisture is already in the air under your home. The humidity is increased every time it rains, especially if the drainage around your foundation is inadequate in areas. Eventually, the floor joists and girders, even the masonry piers under your home become saturated with moisture. Molds love the combination of wood and water. The damp, cool soil is an invitation to termites.

I have learned over time to put on my high-tech filter mask when entering a crawlspace that has been sealed off in such a manner. Why? Mold. Depending on how long venting has been compromised, I expect to find joists and girders that are damp or even wet to the touch, with molds and fungi visible on the surface. I don't want to breath in spores that can make me sick! In addition to that, joists can become bowed, weakening the home's strutural integrity. Think about this. When a craftsman want to curve a piece of wood, what does he do? If you've ever re-caned an old chair, what do you do with the caning material to make it pliable? That's right you soak it! That is exactly what happens when you trap water vapor under your home! The process is much slower than immersion, of course, but the end result is the same. You create weakened wood structural members that are slowly bowing and rotting. Your kids start to have respiratory problems, and you don't know why. Eventually, shoring up floors with extra piers and girders, or having to get rid of mold becomes an expensive proposition. Suddenly, a few (and I do mean a few) saved bucks on an energy bill looks like a bargain.

So get out there and yank off those neatly cut plywood planks you stuck over those holes four years ago! If you don't have it already, make sure there is a plastic vapor barrier covering the ground under your crawlspace. Check out your drainage around the foundation, and make sure that roof drainage and surface water is moving as quickly as possible away from your foundation. You can pat yourself on the back when you don't have to take out a second mortgage to fix a terrible mistake.

For more cool information for homeowners and real estate professionals, visit www.sherlockhomeinspects.com

Builders and Home Inspectors

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Tue, 08 May 2007 02:45:11 -0500

Ok...you've built the house. You have a buyer. Everything is falling into place...but wait! The buyers want a home inspection. I have been curious to know how builders in general feel about home inspections. I should point out that in Mississippi, in order to inspect new homes one also has to have a builder's license, so the animosity that may be present elsewhere is generally not felt so deeply here, since the only inspectors inspecting new construction tend to be knowledgeable. Mostly what I see, at least in areas with somewhat adequate local authority oversight, are honest mistakes or boners committed by subcontractors, for whatever reason. Builders can't be every where at once, and are usually both as surprised as anyone when defects are revealed, and anxious to make any corrections necessary. What are your thoughts or feelings?

Jim Bob's Ham & Cheese Fried Egg Omelet

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Sat, 05 May 2007 20:05:43 -0500

Now this here might not quite qualify as an official omelet, since it's served what you might call "open face", but for lack of knowing what else to call it, we'll say it's an omelet.

You'ns is gonna need 3 grade A large aigs, 3 ounces of sliced ham, and some sharp cheddar cheese, margarine, and ground black pepper.

Put yer stove eye on medium low, and melt a little margarine in it, jest nuff to cover the bottom of a 6" fryin' pan.

Put yer aigs in thar after yer butter melts, and wait til they's cooked nuff tuh slide around in thuh pan.

While you's waitin' fer that tuh happen, mince up yer ham slices real good, and shred about 2 ounces uf cheese.

Take yer ham and cheese, and sprinkle it around in the aigs while they's cookin'. Let it all slip down in the raw egg white. Waller it aroun' in thuh pan a little bit.

When the aigs is cooked purty good on one side, and the cheese starts to melt on top, flip the whole thang. Now, don't mess up and try to do it with a spatula, you'll rurn the whole dang thang! Flip it up an' over in the air, like you's 'sposed to.

Cook it on thuh other side til the egg whites is dun. The middle of yer yolks oughta be medium soft 'bout now.

Take it out and eat it with some hot buiscuits with some real cow butter on 'em, and some Brer Rabbit mo-lasses.

MMMMM!! MMM! Now that thar's some goooooood suthurn eatin'!

Brain teaser

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Mon, 30 Apr 2007 11:59:30 -0500

Here's a brain teaser for home inspectors or anyone else who wants to take a stab. This has to do with roofing and attic.

The home is 8 years old.

There are a few nail pops in the roof covering, but not enough to cause concern.

The roof covering is asphalt shingles in good condition.

The sheathing is exposure 1 plywood.

The sheathing WAS NOT rained on between the time of installation and covering.

The spacing of the sheathing is done properly.

The roof structure is engineered roof truss with no defects in deflection, nor any cut trusses.

Attic ventilation is more than adequate, with soffit and gable vents with turbine assist.

Bath and other exhaust fans are properly installed, with no venting into attic.

All flashing is perfect, drip edge installed properly on rakes and fascia trim.

The roof has never leaked.

The problem: The roof is "wavy", bumps and rises in the sheathing.

The question is, "why?"

Have fun!!

Fried Tree Rat

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 23:10:37 -0500

Here's Jim Bob's world famous recipe for fried squirrel: The following will suffice for about 4 fat ones, or three red squirrels, if you can find 'em!

You will need: 1/4 cup of flavored vinegar (your choice, but I prefer rice vinegar), 1/4 cup of olive oil, 1/4 cup of honey, 1 teaspoon of chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon of oregano. 'Bout a half cup of buttermilk, a cup or so of self-rising flour, salt and pepper

Proceedure: Dress squirrels and cut into back and leg pieces. Place in boiler and bring to a full boil for 12-15 minutes (trust me on this one). Mix flavored vinegar, olive oil, honey, chili powder and oregano, and place the squirrel pieces in this marinade while still warm. Cover and put into the frig for 24 hours.

When ready to cook, mix salt and pepper to taste with the flour. When removing squirrel pieces from marinade, shake 'em off a little bit, just so they ain't drippy no mo. Roll 'em in the buttermilk, then roll 'em in the flour. When you're done, roll them in the flour agin. Heat up yer grease to 250, drop in the squirrel and frie 'em til they's a purty golden brown.

Serve with biscuits and gravy. I guarantee yo' squirrel will be tender and tasty.

Oh! For you squirell brain fans, add the heads.

MMMM!!!!MMM!!!! You'll thank ye don died an' gone t' heaven!!

Now, let's see...I think I got granny's possum roast recipe roun' heah somewhar....

Uncle Roby

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 18:18:53 -0500

Uncle Roby Journey was a gentleman farmer. The kind of fellow that wore his suit coat, purchased in 1930, over his overalls to church each Sunday. Pop (my granddad) always said that when it came to raising crops he was the luckiest *@!^#*# that ever lived, but I believe it had more to do with faith and goodness than luck. Uncle Roby would plant peas and corn mixed on a sandy clay hillside above the bottom and make more peas than he and all the rest of us could put up, and that was in addition to the wagon loads that he took to town and sold on the square--after he made sure the preacher had plenty. When his peas came up, he'd be out there walking every row, guiding the vines toward the most convenient corn stalk to climb on, culling what he called the "piddly" stalks of corn. When he prayed for rain, he always informed The Good Lord that he knew those crops would be provided for, he was just mentioning it to let the Lord know he hadn't forgot to ask. I know this from numerous Sunday dinners at Uncle Roby's house, having to eat cold fried chicken because Uncle Roby took so much time asking the Lord to bless not only the food, but all of us, the neighbors, the preacher, everybody else's crops, the sherriff and the board of supervisors, the dirt roads, and anything else he could think of.

Uncle Roby was a small man, probably weighing in at around 130 with his boots on, with silver grey hair since before I was born, clear blue eyes, and small hands that were calloused and rough--but always gentle. There was a tenderness about him that was apparent to all who knew or met him, and he had a faith in all other human beings that made all other human beings faithful in his presence. He had a silky-smooth high baritone voice that lent itself well at those Sunday afternoon singings he so often attended. And he loved to talk. There were those, myself included, who actually tried to avoid Uncle Roby after the church services were over, because if he ever got ahold of you to shake your hand, he would not let go until he was finished talking to you--and that could be after everyone else had left the churchyard.

Pop did have his reasons--besides envy--for calling Uncle Roby a lucky #&*&@#*, and that had to do with what one might call his 'obtuseness'. Uncle Roby could sometimes miss the obvious, and I will give you one example. This story still makes the rounds and gets laughs around Attala County, Mississippi. It seems that one day Uncle Roby and Aunt Katie were in town at the local Co-op. After picking up his seed and feed, Uncle Roby pulled over to the gas pumps to fill up. The attendant had checked the oil and asked Uncle Roby to crank the pick-up so he could check his transmission fluid. As he did so, he noticed a distinct 'miss' as the engine idled. He came around to the driver's window and asked, "Mr. Roby, did you know your engine was missing?" Uncle Roby turned to Aunt Katie beside him and said, "Well, Katie, it was there when we left the house!"

When I think of Uncle Roby, I don't think of his obtuseness---although there will be more of that in a later post--I think of his strong faith, his goodness and concern for his fellow man, and how it was all manifested in the way he grew his crops and cared for his livestock. I am often reminded by his memory and example that God does take care of the faithful. This is especially helpful when business is slow, or I have 'copped and attitude' about one thing or another. The world could stand a lot more Uncle Robys. We'd all be better off.

New AR Group--Suthurn Thangs

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 11:58:47 -0500

There's a new group on Active Rain catering to all things Southern. Come and share your recipes, memories, and Southerness. For displaced Southerners, it's the next best thing to coming home! And you folks what's Yankees, well, Y'all are more than welcome to come and share some Southern hospitality! We'll all sit out on the porch and have a glass of iced tea. We won't pick on you just because yer a Yankee. As a matter of fact, Y'all probly gon' thank you done died and gone to heaven! But like a lot of other things, it only works well when we share through our posts. So come on in, say hello, sit a spell.

"Mama, go git a bunch o' them straight chairs from out'n the shed--we's got company comin' !"

School's Out, Now

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 23:28:17 -0500

Runnin' jug lines on the Yockanookany,

In the summer after the rain made the creeks rise,

Wading the banks at two in the morning,

Fightin' snags and hoping the snakes stayed in the branches.

"Y'all brang that pistol ovah heah! I got me a big ol' snappin' turtle on this'un!!"

Huddled around the campfire wet and shivering,

The catch floppin' an' fussin' in the shallows where we strung 'em,

Slappin' skeeters 'n roastin' fresh fillets on a stick spit,

Wishing one of us owned a tent.

"Man, these here skeeters done sucked so much blood outta me, I'm gonna need a trans-fusion!"

Four in the morning on the last run,

Billy Frank pulled a 25 pounder from under the bank,

Gatherin' up the jugs and hooks, and into the truck,

Shivering in the bed 'til we got back home.

"I swannee, you boys ain't got a lick o' sense!"

Skinnin' n' filleting 'til six A.M.,

Dividing the catch, and everybody went home,

Lying down in the porch swing, damp and tired,

Eyes closed against the sunrise.

"Now, boy, you know you ain't gon' lay aroun' out heah all day, don'cha?"

Ode to Granny Edaluce

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 22:52:28 -0500

Ole granny, Edaluce, country gal raised to sharecrop, wanted to be a man

but her femaleness had other ideas...raising 6 children on her small Mississippi farm, with pigs, cows, and chickens. Her man hung around only long enough to get her pregnant and then run off to drink and gamble. Every summer was spent planting, harvesting, and canning what the family ate. Every fall she grabbed her shotgun, boots, and shells and joined the men on the deer hunt. Mostly, the men joined her, though, cause she could out do all of them, bringing home enough meat to feed several families each year. Summers at granny's meant taking baths in the #3 wash tub filled with rainwater drawn up from the sistern, heated on the cast iron wood stove. The wash tub sat on the back porch, open to the summer air, no curtains or walls to keep your modesty safe. But we didn't care about that either, when we were 5 years old. It was just being at granny's...her way of life that we could visit a few days a year. So many memories of the country granny that was a pioneer in her own way, a modern woman before her time, working a 'town' job for 25 years in a underwear factory, sewing all day then going home to milk cows, can up jellies, 'maters, pickles, corn and beans. Piecing quilts together during the winter nights or crocheting baby footies or blankets to give to neighbors. What a powerful legacy to have in my family memory. If only she could know how proud I am to call her my Granny! I love youand miss you, Edaluce! Your first granddaughter.

Posted by Mrs. Sherlock!!

GFCI comment

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 10:29:28 -0500

Often, we have inspections wherein the home pre-dates the need for GFCI. I do not call this out as a defect, but I do point out the reasons for GFCI, and recommend the inexpensive (replacement with GFCI receptacles) method of decreasing the possibility of shock hazard. Just wondering how you guys handle that.

Uploading pics

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 20:59:36 -0500

Hi...can anyone tell me if there is a way to upload pics from one's pc? Maybe I am missing something, but it appears that the only thing you can do is upload from another website.

CE on Communication

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Tue, 20 Mar 2007 10:12:29 -0500

Who would like to see someone offer a new CE course for ALL real estate professionals on the subject of better communication between professionals? Please limit your comments to addressing 1)whether you see a need for this, and 2)why or why not. And let us accept the fact that people are going to have differing viewpoints, and try not to bash each other, ok?

I will begin.

1) Yes, I see a need.

2) Communication is tough. In a competitive environment, it becomes even tougher. Yet, in order to serve our home buying and selling clients, I believe effective communication between professionals is absolutely imperitive. Too often, we professionals are guilty of prejudiced attitudes toward one another. A better understanding by each segment of the industry of what other segments have to go through to remain in business would benefit all, and we will have a healthier industry because of it.

Speak freely...no one is going to have their comments deleted; but please stay on topic!

Commentary for Inspectors on two-wire, ungrounded systems

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Mon, 19 Mar 2007 03:23:25 -0500

The following is a comment I use in my reports that addresses concerns about older two-wire systems:

"The home is wired with older two-wire, non-metallic sheathed cable, which was the norm when the home was built. These systems are generally functionally dependable, but are not up to modern safety standards. There is a greater risk of shock hazard with these systems; however, there are inexpensive steps that can be taken. I recommend evaluation by a licensed electrician, and strategic installation of GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interruptor) receptacles in wet locations such as kitchens, baths, laundry areas and outside receptacles."

Blog subscription

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Sat, 17 Mar 2007 13:57:51 -0500

Hi, ya'll!

Can someone tell me how you know if someone subscribes to your blog? I plan to write lots of interesting articles there. Also...how would you go about driving traffic to your blog? Is posting on the groups better?

Jimmy B.

Acting as your own contractor

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Fri, 16 Mar 2007 10:31:27 -0500

You're a pretty handy person, and you have decided to act as your own contractor on your new home to save money. You're all set---you've jumped through all the hoops with the lender, and you have found a builder. But how much do you really know about the intricacies of construction? How will you know if your builder is really crossing his "tees" and dotting his "eyez"? Chances are, since you are acting as your own contractor, the lender has certain requirements in place concerning the builder's draw for each phase of construction. But what are the lender's standards? Will your lender send out a qualified inspector? If you live in a community with strong code requirements, this may not be a problem. But if not, or you are building in a rural area with NO local requirements, and your lender's method of approving that next draw is to send the loan officer out, you may be getting shortchanged on the quality of construction!

So, what do you do? Hire a qualified home inspector to report on each phase of construction. A good inspector will point out areas of concern, problems can be addressed and corrections made at each phase of construction, and you can be assured in the end that you have a quality home that is worth the appraisal price. Costs for this service vary from inspector to inspector, but be advised that in choosing your inspector, price shopping should be your last consideration! Check your inspector's credentials. Is he a member of a national organization? The National Association of Certified Home Inspectors and the American Society of Home Inspectors are the largest, and both have continuing education requirements to ensure the qualifications of their membership. Some organizations are set up by franchise operations as marketing tools for their own franchisees. Be sure that your inspector is qualified, and carries general liability and errors and ommissions insurance. Be sure that he/she is licensed by the state, if your state requires licensing. Check with the appropriate agency in your state to find out if any complaints have been registered against him/her. If you live in a state that does not require licensing, BE CAREFUL!! Anyone can call himself a home inspector, and checking credentials becomes even more important. Experience should be a consideration, but background experience in the building trades is more important than how long an inspector has been in business.

Acting as one's own contractor is an attractive option. Doing so provides instant equity by saving thousands of dollars on the costs of a contractor or realtor costs. One can get more house with less costs. But be sure to avoid the pitfalls! For more important information on homeownership, visit www.sherlockhomeinspects where you will find many interesting articles and valuable information.

Newbie

Jimmy Breazeale (Sherlock Home Inspections) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 16:49:54 -0500

Hi, everyone! Looking forward to being involved in the activerain community!