The Third Doctor Hamilton

We were blessed the weekend of the 9th with the opportunity to attend the second doctoral graduation for our family! Ben's was two summers ago in Florida where he received his D.Ed. We were honored to have him invite us to Nova University outside of Fort Lauderdale for that event. Now, his brother has once again copied him (a standing joke) and obtained his doctorate, a D.D.S. The Bennetts were able to go up to which was a BIG help since we also had to pack Joel and Anna'a house. Graduation was Saturday and the move was after church on Sunday.

I have no idea what was so funny for all of these graduates. They do seem to be looking at ME, though!



The face of a woman ready to leave Buffalo!!!!
This one is titled "I have a tee time on Monday at 9AM. You're have a patient. Enjoy!"





Joel and Anna's house. The Lord so richly blessed us with this little house in SO many ways! He is ever faithful!!


Ready to take the bull by the horns! Oh, sorry. Ready to take the buffalo by the horns. (Just doesn't sound the same!)

Joel, you just graduated dental school! How does that feel?




Joel, you now get to work with your father! How does that feel?

The NEW Dr. Hamilton

Allow us to introduce the "new" Dr. Hamilton!! Though we were not blogging at the time, Marlene and I were honored to accompany Rachel, Jill and Ben ( and Naomi!) to Florida to witness his hooding at Nova Southeastern University. We were so proud to see him receive the fruit of several years of labor as he had conferred upon him a Doctor of Education - an Ed.D. How faithful our God has been and we give him the praise for enabling Benjamin to become the second doctor in the family.

Of course, we begin with the mandatory grandchild pic!

As Ben made the arrangements for our vehicle, Rachel discovered escalators with Pah-pah! Up and down, up and down. Fascinating - and hard on Pah-pah's back!



When we got to the hotel, there was a very nice pool that the family enjoyed. It was pretty well just our pool since it was in the evening.


Before bed, we had to have a little "ham" session so her dad didn't get the idea he was the center of attention!


I might be mistaken, but I believe this is Benjamin during his hooding. The stadium was large and I think it was the Florida Panthers stadium, but Ben will correct me below in the comments, I am sure.



Now this one I KNOW is him!!!


Marlene and I weren't the only ones proud of Ben. He did have a couple other admirers!!!



The doctor and his ladies.

And the proud parents


This one could be titled "Look, Dad! And you said I couldn't make a living doing sim games. What do you think now???"


Benjamin David Hamilton, Ed.D.


A future Doctor? Rachel Kirsten Hamilton, D.C. (Doctor of Cute-ology)

We're Back!!

I know you all have been checking this blog on a daily if not hourly basis, patiently awaiting more golden nuts from the nest.

Well, fear not, O' weary one, your wait is over!

We recently made what we are hoping is our last pilgrimage up through the valleys of Route 15! I have been traveling this route since first beginning Susque Camp in my early teens, followed by my own adventures through Williamsport on old 15 in the late 60's and early 70's which were then succeeded by a daughter's trips to Keuka and two sons up to Houghton and finally the last trips up to Buffalo. We will be making the final voyage back down 15 Sunday. I plan on calling PennDot and informing them that they are now free to finally finish the "99 Corridor" since we will have no more use for it - until the grandchildren start another round!

So today we awoke in Buffalo to a pretty yucky day - rain, overcast, drizzle, etc. While in the shower this morning, I was thinking of what we could do on a rainy day. Suddenly, something hit me that I have wanted to do since my very first visit to Niagara Falls when only 9 or 10. In spite of close to twenty visits to the falls, I have never been on the Maid of the Mist! As long as you are going to get drenched, why not on a rainy day?

As it turned out, the day broke as we were traveling to the falls and turned out absolutely perfect! The crowds were down form the foreboding weather but it was great for the boat trip.

First, we need to share the requisite dorky raingear pics. You will observe they increase in dorkiness beginning with a pretty natural shot of Anna

Followed by her venerable spouse

Then mom as you have never seen her before!



and bringing up the rear, me in full OSHA personal protective equipment and approved gown and headgear apparel ( I opted out of the "substantial" thin blue fly away ponchos).


The view from the river was nothing short of incredible! I have always been awed by the majesty and power of God's creation here but this gave me an entirely new perspective. It really was an unforgettable experience.

Our approach to the American Falls


The American Falls with the Bridal's veil on the right.


A more panoramic shot of the American Falls.


"Maid of the Mist" is a terrible misnomer! I would rename it "Maid of the Hurricane Force Winds and Monsoon Deluge". (MHFWMD for you, Ben and Jill) IT WAS WET! This is the best shot through the drenching. That is the corner of the Horseshoe Falls, Canadian side. Right below the flag is the spot I most remember as a young boy, standing at the railing and watching the massive amount of water roar over the rocky edge.


Oh, and yes, that's Anna "getting into the shot" in the lower right!

After the trip,

From the observation deck

And, finally, it is ever so good to see the four symbols of all our nations stand for:

The Flag of the United States of America
The Flag of the Nation of Canada
The Flag of the Great State of New York
The everpresent monuments to our DOT's!!!

This is turning out to give me a lot of grief! I get criticized on our blogs, reprimanded for improper upkeep (you need to post regularly - way to go Jill!), and hear a constant din from anyone left out - even Puma's fleas! This was supposed to be a way to toss out nuts from our nest to let you see what is going on in our lives, even without kids. (Yeah, we really do still have a life.) Instead it is beginning to create nuts IN the nest!

So herewith please note our latest blog! Enjoy!

First and foremost, we must pay due homage to the right Reverend Daniel Renno! In all seriousness, it was a blessing for me to be a part of Daniel's recent ordination. We praise the Lord to see all of our children walking with Him (3rd John 1:4) and we are thankful beyond words for their commitment to Christ. The spouses of each one of our children are a delight to us, even to the point of being seen not as in-laws but our children, too.

Daniel's recent ordination was a further evidence of our great God's working in our kid's lives. Praise God from whom ALL blessing flow! Now our prayer is that he might mature in the Word and be used mightily of God! Pictured are Dr. Charles Busada, our pastor, Reverend Daniel Renno, and Pastor Ted Vinatieri of Grace Felloship Church in Hazleton, a dear friend of the family.



On an INFINITELY lighter note (of course, knowing me you know the pun in intended) here now I present The Only Town Four! (Can I actually here the laughter over the internet???) As most of you know, I have been thoroughly enjoying participation in a local barbershop chorus which meets every Monday night. I was asked by these very tolerant gentlemen if I would like to sing in the great, world renown Bloomsburg Fair. I jumped at the chance. It was so quickly put together that we didn't even have a name until 10 minutes before the competition! I went in with high hopes but realistic expectations. When they announced third place and then second place, I knew we had not done well. Then they announced first place and I was floored! We had won our very first competition and the quartet was officially only 60 minutes old!!! This presented us with a huge problem, though. We had not even thought about rehearsing an encore, which was expected!! What a great time Marlene and I had (no, she did NOT wear earplugs as had been rumored - at least I don't think she did!). It is seriously a really nice release for me on my long Mondays.



Nest came our show in the beginning of November. The chorus sang (sorry the pics didn't come out of the whole chorus) along with The Only Town Four (now an award winning quartet!), the New Found Sound (same group only substituting me for a baritone), and a national award winning group called The Ringers. They were very good and the whole program was enjoyable.



For the final few numbers in the second half of the program, we don our tuxes! Unfortunately this pic does not show the striking red cummerbund which really makes the tux snap!


After the program we have what is called "Afterglow". We go to a local church and there is a feast there for us. The groups sing a few more numbers to entertain. Now you need to realize that when I joined this group, the average age dropped by about 10 years! But these guys can party!! At the first one Marlene said "Shouldn't these guys be home in bed?" The afterglow got us home about 1AM!!

No post would be complete without at least one pic of grandchildren. Here are the Halloween visitors that appeared at our door. They were the only ones this year - not really a "hoppin" road we live on! Pictured are Super MiahRenno, Ice cream cone in the DaniRae flavor and little miss Anaduck.




Oh, we also did visit Dallas in mid October. The first thing we said to our financial adviser, Toni, when we began the session was "How 'bout we skip the retirement plan assessment this year?" We did spend MUCH less time on it than usual. No sense analyzing what's in a diaper!

We did pass by my favorite sculpture ever - the Mustangs of Las Colinas. It is a massive piece and is really neat. Incorporates a stream along with fountains where the horses are "splashing" through the stream. It is ever cooler at night. Sorry about how far away it is but we were trying to get somewhere so Marlene shot this from the very busy road that runs by it.



Lastly, we were able to pay homage at a shrine that has stood in Irving for decades. It is enormous memorial erected to pay tribute to lost hopes and shattered dreams of cities throughout the country. I have spent quiet moments over the years as Marlene and I have passed by this impressive monument. Unfortunately, it is doomed to be replaced by another even grander memorial that will, over time I am sure, come to represent all that this one does and even more as, through the years to come, group after group of grown men are brought to tears in its presence. My eyes may never again see this site and so, I give you..............


the hallowed halls




the venerated venue




the lauded location





the consecrated concrete







Texas Stadium!!!!!!

Duly Exhorted

So, I was talking with Joel last night and in his unconfrontational way he mentioned that it was interesting that he saw all of our grandchildren, children, and "in-law" children (who we consider our children, too) named with two notable exceptions.
Having been duly exhorted, I present to you the most recent pictures of our northernmost offspring - Joel and Anna.
As you can see, they needed to put on a new roof due to some leakage into the kitchen which, providentially, obviously, dripped exactly on Joel's cell phone. Now, really, a cell phone takes up how much space on the earth? And we are not talking about the Trump Taj Mahal here! What are the odds?
Anyway, here is the happy roofing couple. If dentistry and nursing don't work out, who knows?

Here is Anna pulling her load. Puts a whole other meaning on "caps" eh, Joel? That is her dad in the background, whose name is also David (our family's name thing is a whole 'nother blog, though). We were thankful that he was able to go up with a friend of the family to help out. Buffalo in late October is not the exact time I think that a guy from West Virginia would have picked to do a roof!!!


This is Joel practicing forcep extraction of an impacted shingle. I gotta get me one of THOSE instruments.

Awwwww............

I know what it means when a MAN dwells in the corner of the rooftop, but when they are BOTH there? Hmmmmmm...................


And lest I invoke the wrath of the animal kingdom - here follow our grandpets!!



This Tucker Urlacher Renno. Guess who gave him the middle name? Must be the haircut or that he is afraid of his own shadow.



This is Dakota William Hamilton, or at least that is all I know him as. I think he has some snooty pedigree name but that will do. Now Kelly gave him and the next their middle names. I guess that is her family job, except for Urlacher. This was taken back around Christmas. His head is this big now!


This is the eldest of our grandpets - Puma Leonard Hamilton. Sounds regal, doesn't it? He fits the bill, too. Fortunately, he allows Ben, Jill and Rachel to share his home.

There is one more, thanks to a loving brother! The Renno household has Eddy, the goldfish. Yes, Ben, he is still alive. With good behavior, I hear he earns things like food and water changes. Kelly will not allow any pictures until he is one year old. I guess its a protectionist thing.

That's it. Hopefully everyone is happy now and I can get my Sunday nap!

Our Granchildren

Now that I am a pro at this (lol) I will attempt a blog about a few of the joys of our life - our grandchildren! We have five (one of whom is still comfortably resting in mommy).




Our eldest is Jeremiah Hamilton Renno, son of Daniel and Kelly. He is 7 years old (where did those years go?). He is a serious climber and can even shimmy up the chains that hold our tree swing!




DaniRae Marlene is 5 and is incredibly active! She tries to keep up with her brother and usually does! Dani is an avid reader and we hope that never changes.


Ben and Jill's daughter Rachel Kirsten is the next in line. She will be two in one week! She is sooooooo sweet! Marlene's prayers that Ben would have one just like him were NOT answered in Rachel. She is so calm, observant and mellow. Her mom and dad might not agree with all of the above, all of the time, however!



AnaGrace is Dan and Kelly's youngest. She is 'little miss busy" according to her grandmother! She goes and goes and goes, much to her mom's fatigue! She will follow her cousin Rachel with her second birthday in January.


And our fifth! Hang in there Jill!! We love you and are praying for you through this time! Come quickly February!!!!

Of course, there are hundreds of other pictures of our grandchildren. Marlene LOVES digital! But I could not resist just one more!!


I think I got the hang of this!!! Look out world!

First attempt!

I am going to try to see if I can learn how to post pics and write now since I have gotten over the trauma of setting up this blog! We will see how it goes from here. You may not even read these words if I mess up!

The first picture is one taken shortly after I first blogged. I am in a barbershop society chorus and three of the long time members asked me to be in a quartet with them and sing at the Bloomsburg Fair barbershop competition. Yes, competition! I was excited and, of course, said "Yes!" The picture you see here is of our quartet taken from where Marlene was enjoying (tolerating?) the show. We were so new we didn't even have a name so just before we went on stage (literally) one of our group named us "The Only Town Four", giving homage to Bloomsburg, the only TOWN in PA. I enjoyed myself completely and when the awards were given, I was hoping for a respectable showing out of the 7 quartets that sang. Well, The Only Town Four walked away with first place! I was shocked! The first place quartet has to sing an "encore" and we didn't even have one prepared! We managed, though! Marlene and I laughed the rest of the evening as we ate around the fair (I hadn't eaten at all since noon even thoughwe were at the fair at 5 for a 7PM show!