Hey Art,
Welcome to ECN and thanks for the Picture!. [Linked Image]
That's a shocking thought that something like this was lurking in your own roof.
Few people ever get up into their attics and see what is up there, most would be floored by some of the wiring that I have seen in them.
By the way, is that Rubber Sheathed cable in that picture?.
Also, I take it that there is a rather heavy lighting fixture on the other side of the ceiling?.