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What's the Surprise Inside?

It never ceases to amaze me what people will use to substitute for the correct component. I found this Cracker Jack lunch box used for a chimney cleanout door. Pretty inventive, fits right in the opening. Kind of lends a little retro look to the chimney, don't cha think?

I have very fond memories of Cracker Jacks. It was one of my favorite treats. I could always count on getting a box from my grandmother every time we visited her. But as any aficionado of Cracker Jacks knows, the best part is the prize inside!

This "box" of Cracker Jacks also had a prize inside, a dead sparrow. Not exactly a decoder ring, but the cat might enjoy it.

This little fella probably did what most birds do in the winter, perched on the edge of the warm flue. The fumes made him sleeeeepy and he pitched forward into the chimney and here he lies. Poor little guy was just trying to stay warm.

Candy coated popcorn peanuts and a prize....

James Quarello
JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC

Posted by James Quarello - ASHI Certified CT Home Inspector on 01/30/2008 04:33 PM

Comments (11)

Post is included in group: Ask the Home Inspector

11 Comments on What's the Surprise Inside?

Aw, poor bird, how sad! I know my dad had a penchant for 'making do' with whatever was on hand. I'd love to tag along on the inspection of my childhood home!LOL!

01/30/2008 04:42 PM

by Debbie Malone, Realtor (R), Lynchburg, Smith Mountain Lake, VA (RE/MAX 1st Olympic)

Oh so sad. Bet you find a lot of stuff like this.

01/30/2008 05:46 PM

by Renee Stengel, Westchester County (Houlihan Lawrence, Associate Broker)

Debbie,

Around here we call that Yankee ingenuity.

Renee,

Are you referring to dead animals, jury rigged components or both. The answer would be to all, yes.

01/31/2008 08:24 AM

by James Quarello - ASHI Certified CT Home Inspector (JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC)

That's pretty funny James. I had the same type of post about a lizard stuck in an exterior A/C condenser... we think alike.

Poor Guy Never Had a Chance

01/31/2008 08:22 PM

by Joseph Lang - Southern California Home Inspector (Pillar To Post Professional Home Inspection)

Joe, I remember seeing that one. It seems we share a similar sense of humor. As soon as I found the bird inside that Cracker Jack lunch box, I thought it was funny.

02/01/2008 10:00 AM

by James Quarello - ASHI Certified CT Home Inspector (JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC)

It sounds like the cracker jack lid was working fine. It kept the secret just for you.

02/06/2008 03:27 PM

by Gene Allen Realtor Hampton Roads Real Estate (Resh Realty Group)

Good reason for a spark arrestor / rain cap on the top of the chimney flue. Keeps the dead animals out.

02/07/2008 11:02 AM

by Erby Crofutt, Central Kentucky Home Inspector (B4U Close Home Inspections & Radon Testing)

There is never a dull moment in the life of an inspector. Everyday is "seek & find", mice, lizards, snakes, birds, creepy crawlers, you name it. (Innovation makes some people rich).

02/07/2008 07:05 PM

by Carl & Ceil Winters (Complete Inspection Service, New Braunfels, Texas 78133)

I love it.

02/07/2008 08:59 PM

by Bob Elliott (Chicago Property Inspection) (Elliott Home Inspection)

Hey Erby, Dead animals can't get inside your chimney only the live ones ;-()

Carl, Isn't that the truth! I bet you have some real big creepy crawlies in them Texas crawl spaces.

Bob, Glad you like it.

02/07/2008 09:13 PM

by James Quarello - ASHI Certified CT Home Inspector (JRV Home Inspection Services, LLC)

They say all things come BIG IN TEXAS. Came across a family of skunks a few weeks ago. I ran lilke H....

They ran also but left a token behind. (ha, ha). Nothing worse then the ordor of skunk.

02/07/2008 09:17 PM

by Carl & Ceil Winters (Complete Inspection Service, New Braunfels, Texas 78133)

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