On a recent inspection, I was talking with the client for whom I was to perform a thermal infrared inspection of his house, which has experienced a variety of leaks. 

During the conversation he asked me what odd things I have found during thermal image inspections.  

I told him that periodically I have seen a ghost in various windows and mirrors, whom I have affectionately named "Mosby" in favor of The Gray Ghost, Lt. Col. John S. Mosby of Civil War fame. 

He informed me that the house next door was during the Civil War owned by a prominent Confederate, who's best friend, it turns out, was John Mosby.  He did not know the name of the homeowner.

This is the actual house, still there, albeit remodeled a bit since.  But when he was in the area Mosby often would stop by for visits, play the piano (Mosby was an avid pianist) and stay the night.

To my UTTER surprise, during the inspection, Mosby made a thermal appearance!  He was off to the side in the large basement family room.

And he brought his friend!  That's Mosby pointing the friend out!

What surprised me more was the appearance of the thermal image!

It looks like it has a crack in it.  I have often seen original Matthew Brady photos, which were originally printed on glass, that have cracks in them when the glass broke.

Could this be Mosby's way of indicating his era?  A Civil War thermal image?!

Interestingly, it almost looks like Mosby is wearing a tool belt.  I wonder if it is not his pistol holster and scabbard location on his right side and middle.  He must still carry it around for the spirit derring-do effect!

I don't know about you, but it is fun to think that I might somehow be Mosby's method of communicating today.  I'm kind of a Mosby Whisperer!

I am going to doubt this friend shows up again, but if he does, I suppose, I will have to name him too!

 

 

Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC  

Based in Bristow, serving all of Northern Virginia

www.jaymarinspect.com


 
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26 Comments on Mosby And His Host

20 Most Recent Comments Displayed Show All

OCT
05
2010
275,890 Points 17 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Wow!  Pretty freaky!  And I tell my kids there is no such thing as ghosts.  
8:33am • #7
147,151 Points 2 Featured Posts

Do you think those pictures have anything to do with the fact that silica based glass is reflective to infrared?

Oh,  sorry to spoil the fun.  Check out this video:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CJy9JWr9rbw&feature=autofb

I think Mr. Mosby was on site for this "ghost hunters" vid.  Grade "A" dufuses.
9:11am • #8
1,137,611 Points 153 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

You should have saved this post for Oct 31st.    Very creative, Jay.
9:16am • #9
916,960 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I swear the guy on the left is the spitting image of J-mosby Markanich :)
9:49am • #10
195,108 Points Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Great post!  Love the comment by Charles :)
10:05am • #11
452,806 Points 81 Featured Posts Called Shot Master

Jay - I think I read somewhere that Mosby was a part-time home inspector. Perhaps that's why he seems to follow you.
10:25am • #12
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Kathryn - if you have been reading my posts for the last year or so you know that Mosby has showed up many times!

Jim - what you say?  Mosby says nay...  For sure those two were standing over in the corner.    ;)

Debbie - Mosby shows up when he will.  I really have no control.  Maybe he has something special waiting for us for Halloween!
10:51am • #13
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Charlie - you've seen that tool belt before?  So, how do you explain that crack in the glass of this obviously authentic Civil War era thermal image?

Tammy - Charlie has met me, but never my tool belt.  I don't think he really has a grasp on reality here.  Shapes can be coincidental, don't you agree?

John - if you follow his exploits, he used to go into houses and even the Fairfax City Courthouse to extract enemy combatants and treat them to Southern hospitality in some camp somewhere, like Andersonville.  Obviously home inspector knowledge there.

That court house raid was one that required some real cajones and is fun to read about.  That building is still there!  I should go down and take some photos.  Who knows, maybe the Colonel will show up again!
10:54am • #14
361,997 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay ~ Back in my Court Reporting days in Fairfax, I covered many a trial in that old, old Court Room!  As you face the Old Courthouse, it sits to the right and is on the corner.  It is a beautiful historic treasure.  When I was actively Reporting, there was a wonderful caretaker whose mother had been a slave just across the street, and he was full of wonderful stories about Mosby entering the Court on horseback!  I wish I could remember his name, because he was one of the finest people I have ever had the pleasure of getting to know.  Time marches on!  Thanks for triggering such special memories.
12:06pm • #15
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Tish - yeah, I need to get a picture of that court house and put together a local history blog about it.  You are right, it is a beautiful building and if I am not mistaken, those row buildings across the street (businesses now) are original.  There is that very old B&B just a half block away too.

Yes, Mosby entered on horseback and that must have been a sight!  My understanding is that the raid took place between midnight and 2am.
12:49pm • #16
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Now, Charlie, you are going to say that the image above, certainly the spitting image of this dashing young man, compares to me?!

Please...

And that part of the image which looks like a tool belt, is, again, indubitably, the image of what you see to the right!

I think my friend Mosby would like a retraction from you.  Well, I haven't asked him, but I think.

;~)
1:04pm • #17
916,960 Points 178 Featured Posts Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

OK OK----where is the hat then? Also, I gotta think that cold blue steel sword would show up a little better :)
1:36pm • #18
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Charlie --

C'mon!  We were inside and a gentleman, of which Mosby certainly is, takes his hat off indoors.

The real Mosby did have a very ostentacious plumed hat that he was famous for.

Where's the hat ... man oh man.
1:55pm • #19
178,705 Points

Funny, but I almost seem to recognize the guy on the left.  Of course, that's impossible since those are ghosts.
8:39pm • #20
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Yeah, Jack, Charlie thought the same thing, but, as you can plainly see, he was wrong too.  I think Mosby likes the idea of his scabbard and pistol belt, but, the great gentleman he is, of course he would not "be carrying" as during a visit to a friend.
8:54pm • #21
306,720 Points 9 Featured Posts Localism Sponsor Outside Blog Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

I am going to have to get my home inspector to get one of these nifty toys tools!
10:10pm • #22
1,150,579 Points 53 Featured Posts Outside Blog

Mr Jay,

I am pretty much sure that you are communication with the world of the never never land.

Nutsy
11:38pm • #23
OCT
06
2010
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

Damon - for a couple of years now, wrongly, I have said that all home inspections would come with IR imaging as a part of the service.  For now I am in the vast minority of inspectors who do have and use them, so that makes me more money!  It is very GREEN technology!

Nutsy - when I meet Winston Churchill he will probably tell me to never, never, never, ever give up.

 
6:28am • #24
361,997 Points 60 Featured Posts Outside Blog Called Shot Master

Jay ~ You are correct about those buildings across the street which are now commercial.  The Rust family is of long standing and Jack Rust, Esq. had his law offices there at one point.  I spent many, many hours taking depositions there and his office was filled with wonderful historic photographs of the area.  He was a genuine Southern Gentleman and a highly-respected attorney.
10:52am • #25
974,415 Points 349 Featured Posts Attended Rain Camp Called Shot Master

And for a while the mayor of Herndon, Tish.  His wife was my banker at the old McLean Bank.
11:14am • #26

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Jay Markanich - N. Virginia Home Inspector

Bristow, VA

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Jay Markanich Real Estate Inspections, LLC

Address: 12315 Sherborne Street, Bristow, VA, 20136

Office Phone: (703) 330-6388

Cell Phone: (703) 585-7560

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