Bear Foraging For Insects In Downed Tree

This is roughly twenty feet from our house up an embankment above second floor level. Sable was outside this morning. It has rained most of yesterday and today. As I was looking out a window, to determine where she was, I noticed this I haven’t noticed previously. It appears very fresh. Appears to be where our bear has recently foraged in this downed tree for insects. May have occurred last nigh since I didn’t notice it yesterday. Or I could have missed it from the bear visit earlier in the week since we haven’t been outside due to the rain. Interestingly, it was starting to rain and Sable came from behind me as I was making these photos. She immediately left and ran to the door. She has acted very uncomfortable since our arrival on Thursday evening. We believe that she smells that the bear has been around. Obviously, our friend is out of hibernation. We have no clue how many there are or if we are encountering the same one. We believe they move down in the valley below us to the river for fish. 

Our local bears first spring visit

 

First allow me to apologize that I failed to make photos yesterday evening on our arrival to the mountain. This photo is after I moved things back in place I just made in the rain. The first issue that caught Pam’s attention was that the solar panel, which charges our generator starter battery, was amiss knocked as far to the side as it will go. However, it is about 8’ in the air, one the side of the house, so the first assumption was high winds. As I walked around the corner to our rear yard I found Sable’s house (at the right in this photo) also knocked sideways about two feet with the doors open, the first floor rug pulled outside and the second floor rug pulled amiss. I was still thinking high winds until Pam said look at the hose real (at the right in this photo). That sucker is heavy and was moved over two feet. That was not wind. As I rearranged Sable’s house I observed a muddy paw print on the rug and it was obvious something had stuck its paw thorough the second floor plastic access door and pulled that rug toward that access. Conclusion, spring visit from our bear upset that no bird feeders were present to haul off. Lower photo not our bear but similar. Trust me, I have been THAT CLOSE! Sorry, didn’t consider raising my cell phone to make a photo. 

Have You Ever Seen A Unicorn? - Introduction

 

Pay close attention or you will miss all of the fun and amazing information!

Hello, allow me to introduce myself. I am Professor Mama April Unicorn, mother of the Baby Angel Unicorns. You may have noticed that one of my Angels travels with our inspectors addressing issues of concern, for your enlightenment, in this blog. Now that you have seen a Unicorn, my task is to introduce you to a Home/Building Inspection Unicorn. Interesting, when The Old Man (that would be Chris D. Hilton for those of you who are behind) had this wild crazy idea of finding a forest animal as a company mascot, determined that there weren't any, but that a mystic Unicorn actually represented our Inspection Company better than any other animal everyone thought that he was being immature, childish, silly, and had totally lost it, especially his bride GrandPam (that would be Realtor, Pam Hilton, for those of you who are behind). Let me become 100% serious and advise you that Unicorns are a fascinating, well addressed, concept in the world of business with courses taught on this subject in the finest business universities. Here is one example:

Is it possible that The Old Man isn't as off his rocker as many may imagine? 

In the business world per Wikipedia: "The term unicorn refers to a privately held startup company with a value of over $1 billon. It is commonly used in the venture capital industry. The term was first popularized by venture capitalist Aillen Lee. Unicorns are very rare and require innovation. Because of their sheer size, unicorn investors tend to be private investors or venture capitalists, which means they are out of the reach of retail investors. Although it isn't necessary, many unicorns work their way to going public." 

Was that boring enough for you? The Old Man and I propose that Chris D. Hilton and Associates Home/Building Inspections is an inspection unicorn. Although our little company isn't worth $1 billion (yet) this will explain why it is an inspection unicorn:

Our company isn’t like other companies, is rare and highly valued by its clients and the agents who recommend them. Our performance is stellar inspecting every home as if our children were the buyers and our grandchildren would occupy the home. We provide extras over and above the home inspection and report adding value in excess of the inspection fee. This includes various warranty coverages, a buyback guarantee, keeping the agents we work with in front of their clients multiple times a month, for free, FOREVER, conducting per-listing inspections for sellers, actually assisting the listing agent selling their listings.

The Old Man has requested that I introduce two courses of study which will be posted over time on this blog. 

How we are a unicorn for Realtors 

and

How we are a unicorn for our clients

The Old Man is kind enough to allow me to use is lovely mountain side office, chair, table and iPad. He says that I can stay in Sables house but I don't think I will fit. Do you? Snoopy has nothing on me!!!

Sable is not pleased

I think I will sleep in the wagon in the wagon shed. 

Sable says that she is going to hitch me to it for a ride.

As we proceed a link to each course will be posted below

Coming Soon

www.chrisdhilton.com

Is this missing from your range?

Nora Akers put me here with this safety bracket which had not been installed. Hey Nora!!! The oven is on and you are singeing my mane. This important safety device is missing from almost every range our team attempts to tilt. How about yours? Amazingly, most homebuyers and homeowners have no clue and look at us like were are nuts. 

Note sticker on new range

Note example of many variations of this warning

A very descriptive illustration

Mama hides the cookies high in the cabinet above the range. The range provides a step stool/ladder for the egressive child. Mothers have also been injured by placing a heavy turkey or ham on the door tipping everything cooking on the range top over on them. Earlier ranges were manufactured of much heavier material so this wasn’t an issue. 

Anti-tip brackets have been required by Underwriter Laboratories (UL) and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for all free-standing stoves/ovens manufactured after 1991. From our experience over 90% of kitchen stoves lack this critical safety feature (sometimes even in brand new construction!). Manufacturers have incorporated anti-tip brackets into their stove designs since well before 1991. All self-standing stoves (ones that are not built-in to a wall or counter) manufactured since 1991 are required to be supplied with an anti-tip bracket and, of course, the appliance installer should install the bracket. This almost never gets done.

Part 304.1 of the IRC (International Residential Code) states: 304.1 General. Equipment and appliances shall be installed as required by the terms of their approval, in accordance with the conditions of the listing, the manufacturer’s installation instructions and this code. Manufacturer’s installation instructions shall be available on the job site at the time of inspection.

GrandPam, Her Kitty, Bear and Dead Birds

Doesn’t Sable look so innocent? Right, nether is she or her mother GrandPam. Sable is watching for birds to either run into a window and knock themselves unconscious or fly too close for her pounce. 

Who purchases a birdbath Sable has taken over to watch the birds in the bright red bird feeder GrandPam is constantly replacing when it attracts our bear instead of the birds? Who purchases all that bird seed they devour incessantly when the chipmunks don’t get it first?   

Truth is GrandPam’s has a bird feeder to attract birds so she doesn’t have to purchase as much deli roast beef for the bird catching, devil, Kitty. This was the last one below. Today GrandPam observed Sable jump from under her hiding place below a Rhododendron bush, leap into the air, catch a bird, in mid air then GrandPam chased Sable around, trying to save the bird, ending in Sable eating it whole, head, feathers, beak, wings, feet, right in front of her. Oh, she is such a sweet little Kitty. 

Sable the demure, sweet, city kitty during the week becomes the wild, carnivore, mountain panther  huntress on the weekends. Nothing is safe in her presence. 

What Are These Homeowners Breathing?

 

Home inspector, Doug Simmons, drags me into the attic, sits me here and makes a photo. When I realize what is going on I am thankful he had the forethought to cut the furnace off before involving me. Ouch, this is hot!!! Even baby unicorns know this is potential deadly dangerous. WOW, a completely disconnected attic furnace flue. Doesn't get much more alarming than that. Remember that Doug is also a Winston-Salem Firefighter. He was not pleased with this, sending the "Old Man" a text. 

"How is this for a CO (carbon monoxide) monitor post?"

Our home inspectors (www.chrisdhilton.com) have observed issues like this many times in storage rooms, closets, crawlspaces, basements and attics. 

Yes, potential issues like this is one of the reasons every home should have carbon monoxide detectors. 

Does yours? 

Sable's Favorite Cookie Baker

Evva Foltz Hanes, founder of Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookies

Sable Eating Mrs. Hanes' Cookies

Check our Sable's Favorite Cookie Baker's New Book

Check out the Winston-Salem Journal article at the link below

Evva Foltz Hanes, founder of Mrs. Hanes’ Moravian Cookies

Sable suggests that you click on this link and purchase the book

Tail Stuck In A Door - New Construction

 

Tail stuck in a door

The Old Man would hang by his heels for a good photo. Thinks I should do the same. Hey, Old Man, did you stick my tail in between these doors? No, probably the guy who had a few too many beers at lunch before he installed these closet pull knobs. New construction shish, no need for inspections. I have only been hanging around in the Old Man's tool bag for a few weeks and even Baby Angel Unicorn has this figured out. OMG have I seen a few disasters. Interestingly, I have heard the old man call both newly constructed, hundred year old homes, and everything in-between "Lipstick on a pig". You do want to buy lipstick on a pig? RIGHT! If you don't check out www.chrisdhilton.com 

Is The Oven Bake Burner Working?

 

Angel Unicorn here on a home inspection, with Nora Akers, checking out the gas oven bake burner. Yes, working fine. If Nora keeps sticking me near these flames I may loose my beautiful eye lashes. Nora, you can turn if off now. She said to book your oven check, and the rest of your house, at www.chrisdhilton.com 

Sable Rocking In The Sunshine

 Diva Sable enjoys her matching designer rockers. 

Sable Rocking in The Sunshine

Sable in the picture window overlooking the goat pasture

Sable With Her Toys

Sable on the stair observing the birds

at the rear forest feeder

Sable Watching Birds On The Stair

Sable dancing in Mom’s flower box

Sable In The Flower Box

Sable visiting the Cherokee National Forest in her rear yard

Sable In The Corner Of The Cherokee National Forest

Sable packed ready to travel

Sable traveling in Dad’s Jeep

About 2 hours twice every week

She has traveled from the North Carolina mountains

 to the South Carolina Coast at Myrtle Beach. 

She is a traveling Diva Kitty 

Sable Riding In Dad’s Jeep

Sable spends more time on the mountain bed

than those who are supposed to sleep in the bed

Sable On Our Mountain Bed

Sable On Our Mountain Bed

Sable has bacon and eggs almost every day on the mountain

Sable Having Breakfast

Sable and the Unicorns 

introduced to her by the mountain rock fairies

I know, crazy

Sable And Her Unicorns 

Since we have crossed the bar

outside the realm of realty

meet Sable’s alter ego SUPER SABEL

Sable’s Alter Ego SUPER SABLE

Yep without doubt “The Old Man” has lost it

But aren’t we having fun?

Where do we go from here? 

Sable and Her Mountain Friends

Sable delivering one of her friends to the door to show off. Some survive, some don’t. Such is the rule of the wild, even if it is difficult for us to accept. Birds, chipmunks, lizards, baby rabbits, field mice, moles, God knows what is next. Waiting on a bear cub. Truth is it is the rule of life. The powerful abusing the weak to advance the life and success of the powerful. It is the circle of life. Irrelevant of your unwillingness to accept the truth we all participate in this cycle of life.

Angel’s Home Inspection Adventures - Exposed Electrical Wiring

Hi - I am Baby Angel Unicorn. I am “stuffed” in all of our home inspectors tool bags by “The Old Man”. Yes, there are clones of me. Some may be excited about that, others may not. I will do my best to win them over and provide you with important information concerning the possible condition of your home. Our goal is to teach you about issues having to do with function, safety, maintenance and other concerns about your home. If you are considering placing your home on the market you should first locate and consider addressing these issues. Even better to do so long before then. Some may help market your home and others prevent disparity in due diligence negotiations hopefully simplifying your transaction. Need help with condition, pre-listing or pre-purchase home inspections? Check out www.chrisdhilton.com.

Inspector Doug Simmons placed me in this kitchen cupboard saying there is something wrong here. Angel, can you find it. Hint, it’s yellow. My mane and tail have YELLOW!  Yellow, yellow, yellow, Oh, that wire is YELLOW! The wire matches my mane and tail. WOW, we match. Mama would be so proud. Hey Doug, that wire can’t be there can it? Well, obviously it is there and someone screwed up. Do you find lots of screw ups on the houses you inspect? Yes, Angel, unfortunately we find way too many. 

Simply stated if you can see electrical wiring anywhere in finished space, no mater the color, it is wrong. Even in unfinished space unless it is above six feet high or within the cavity of a stud wall through holes in the wood studs. In unfinished space, like a basement, it can’t be stapled on the under side of the exposed floor joist, it must be through holes drilled in the floor joist. 

Inspector Doug, why is this so? This wiring is subject to potential damage and must be protected. The last resource is called conduit and it can be a specific type plastic or steel pipe the wire runs through for protection. If the wire were to become damaged it could burn or electrocute someone, cause serious injury or a fire which could injure or kill the occupants of the home.

Wiring is allowed to be exposed in attics and crawlspaces secured by cable staples. 

Oh WOW Inspector Doug, I think we should put this in the report. Yes, Angel, a wise choice I think our client would desire to know this. 

For more detailed information on this subject click here 

Have you seen Diva Sable? She has no time for home inspections or electrical issues. She has been know to climb up attic pull down stairs where heating and air conditioning technicians were installing her new duct and heat pump system in the city. She loves to hide, be rambunctious and to roll in the dirt but can get up and almost immediately be clean. She loves sitting in her city condo talking to the birds outside and under the bird feeder on the mountain until the bear steals it again. That bear is a menace for bird feeders and kitties. She does not like cold, wet, windy or dogs. She loves deli roast beef, bacon and cookies. 

Sable, Professor April and Baby Angel Unicorn

GrandPam Freezing Her Ass Off For The Diva Kitty

 

Hello, it’s 39 degrees, sunny and beautiful as GrandPam is working outside, freezing her fingers and ass off searching for mountain land for a client, so the Diva Kitty doesn’t have to be outside alone. When it is windy or cold she prefers one of us outside with her. The old man can’t take it. Cold weather and bare fingers on a iPad Keyboard simply don’t cut it when you are old as dirt. Shortly we will take a walk to the ridge line and that will be short. Can’t sit on that ridge line in the cold and wind. Sable loves that walk and the ridge line where she and the old man encountered the bear. 

This is where we are on the North Carolina, Tennessee ridge line border adjacent to the desolate Cherokee National Forest living, in small house luxury, off of the grid. Later there will be a post on how we creatively manage that with two Diva’s in the house.