Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme

This is a little ditty I wrote back during this past Christmas season. I felt compelled to share it again as yesterday was the anniversary of the day that our son went to live with our Lord. This also fits into the Easter holiday as well.

What a great title, song and ... If you can recall the mid 1960's then you are one of the lucky ones! When the holiday season arrives, I always look back and remember when life was simple and good.

Life was simpler back then, we did not have cell phones, nor fax machines and you could buy a gallon of gas for around 30 cents a gallon; Most families had dinner at the family dinner table and a home cooked meal did not come out of the microwave; A conversation at the dinner table was about what happened during the day at school, work and around the home; Math homework did not take a computer or scientific calculator to finish; We had only 4 channels on the TV; TVO were just letters in the alphabet; Yes, life was good back then.

We did not worry about lead paint, and truth be known baby cribs were painted with paint that most likely contained lead; We were not controlled by building codes to the extent that we are now. Nobody gave much thought to the height of a counter top or the space between the balusters in the railing. Nobody cared and common sense prevailed. Yes, life was good back then .

A contract was short and to the point. We did not have page after page of disclaimers that disclaimed what was being disclaimed; A mans word was his bond; Houses were sold and then turned into a home. Yes, life was good back then.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme are more than spices in our life. They are everything that we hold dear and kindle memories of days gone bye. Their fragrance in both song and sprig are more than enough to get us through the Season we hold so dear to our heart. For some memories are difficult to recall, but with a little spice of the season your memories can be made anew of the present and not of the past.
Yes, Life is Good.

The Holiday season can be a time of despair and depression for some. With our family it has been difficult at times, over the years we have lost several loved one's including a child. My sincere hope is that this little ditty will help you to recall those good times and reflect on what the future will bring in the way of lasting new memories. God Bless all and don't forget the reason for the Season.

Parsley, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme is an album by Simon & Garfunkel, released in the United States on October 10, 1966.

The Southern Ten Commandments

The Southern Ten Commandments

Some people have trouble with all those 'shall's' and 'shall not's' in the Ten Commandments.. Folks just aren't used to talking in those terms.

So, in middle Tennessee they translated the 'King James' into ' Jackson County ' language.....no joke (It's posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Gainesboro , TN ). All of it ain't totally correct (but you get the picture).

(1) Just one God

(2) Put nothin' before God

(3) Watch yer mouth

(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'

(5) Honor yer Ma & Pa

(6) No killin'

(7) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal

(8) Don't take what ain't yers

(9) No tellin' tales or gossipin'

(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuffNow that's plain an' simple.

Y'all have a nice day!

HUD now allows for FHA financing on Flip homes!

The sun is shining down on those REO homes!

Effective February 1, 2010 HUD will allow for homes that have been listed for sale, have been openly and fairly marketed via MLS, auction , For Sale by Owner offering, or developer marketing to qualify for FHA insurance with the intent of "flipping" the home!


The main idea and thrust behind this is to reduce the number of REO properties that have flooded the marketplace. This program will expire a year from the date that it was enacted. In order for a property to qualify for this special waiver one of the several HUD rules that must be met is for the lender to have the property inspected by a licensed and or qualified home inspector. The lender may pass the cost of this inspection on to the buyer and must provide a copy of the report to the buyer prior to closing.


I can see this new program really opening the market up and helping to reduce the number of REO homes that we are all having to deal with. Apparently not many Realtors or mortgage lenders are aware of this new program.


This is the link to the HUD document: http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/waivpropflip2010.pdf

Scott Patterson, approved HUD inspector.
Trace Inspections, serving a 100 mile radius of Nashville TN 615-302-1113