What is going on in the United States?

Hi Readers,

Imagine my surprise today when I log on to do a new post (yep, feeling guilty as it has been a while!!) and I see a massive spike in the amount of page views from the U.S.

I can only put this down to a few things...

• They are bored. Incredibly bored.
• It's a Trump thing. The response to Trump being chosen as the next President has resulted in multitudes of Americans seeking greener pastures and they have stumbled upon my blog. Will they consider this a true representation of the life of an Average Joe in Australia? Even though my name is Bernard?? Who can tell, I just tell it as it is.
• They have been hacked, and every time they look for something really interesting, they are diverted to me!!

• They are just pulling my chain, making me think they are really reading it.
• It's just some sicko, bored at work who just keeps logging on and adding to the total.

Whatever the reasons may be, I hope it entertains you, but please, could at least one of you say which part of the States you are from, or leave a comment? I'd love to drum up some banter with my readers!!

So what has been going on lately in the intriguing World of Bernard???

He's 50!!

Recently one of my brothers, Damian, turned 50. How old do I feel now when I say my youngest brother is now 50 years old!!

So, to celebrate the occasion we went out to dinner at a local pub with the staff from his school.

It was a great night and a fitting way to celebrate the milestone.

However, before I headed off, one of my sons threw out a challenge to me. 

"Dad, don't order the Half Parma, go the full Parma. You won't be able to finish it, and you won't eat for a week"

Well, that was like a red rag to a bull! For the overseas readers, a 'Parma' is a Chicken Parmagiana, or 'Parma' for short. It's a piece of chicken, crumbed and covered in all sorts of sauces, usually bacon, cheese and tomato in the traditional form. Usually served with chips and salad, or chips and veges.

The jury is still out about the presentation. My belief, and that of my three sons is that the parma DOES NOT sit on the chips. Nothing goes under the parma!!  Our view is that means they are trying to hide things under it. When this occurs it is referred to as 'a sin of the parma'.

The pub I went to is owned by a family friend, and the full parma did not disappoint. It was sensational. But my son's words were ringing in my ears, so even though I was well and truly full with a few mouthfuls to go, I persisted and downed the whole thing, save for a few rings of red onion (Why does everyone insist on this rubbish??!!)

Hardly what any health professional would advocate, especially with our obesity rates continuing to escalate. At Least I do get a decent amount of exercise every day to compensate for it.

Anyway, back to the man of the moment.

After a really good meal (Parma Heaven would be an apt description) instead of a cake, a selection of sample desserts was presented to Damian with a candle. He smartly chose to share these out as eating them would be nearly as gluttonous as eating a full parma!!!

Damian, yours truly and Dirty.

As an added treat, another brother, Peter ( who we know as 'Dirty') came down from Brisbane for the weekend as he was attending a wedding here in Bendigo.

Damian came around to my place on the Saturday afternoon, ready to meet Dirty who was due later that day.

We eventually all  caught up and I suggested we pop around to our local pub for 1-2 beers as it had been months since we were last together.

Those 1-2 beers at the pub at 4.00 pm turned into a few more back at home. It was 2.00 am when I pulled up stumps, and Dirty and Damian kept going until 4.00 in the morning!!

It is fair to say that all three of us were a tad shabby the next morning, but it was worth every minute.

Dirty is also involved in an annual event here in Australia called 'Movember', where men (and possibly some women!) grow a moustache in November to raise money and awareness of mens health, in particular prostate cancer. A great cause to support.

One of our boys, Will also got involved. We couldn't help but notice Will's resemblance to some other well known moustaches, but good on him for doing it, as he did more than I did which was nothing.

Look out next year!!

Some Maths at school...

At school we have various fundraisers. A recent one was a mango drive, and let me tell you I worked up a decent sweat helping to unload the delivery to our school.

As many kids at school were watching and asking, I then came up with a very simple maths problem for them to solve.

I gave them my ipad and said they could take just three photos and then try and solve the problem "How many mangoes are there?"

I still haven't heard back from the kids, but I'd be very interested in hearing how they went about solving the task. It is not so much the answer that I'm interested in, but the strategies and processes that they used, because there are so many ways to get to an answer, and my focus is on helping the children to discover them.

My hobby...

For more than 25 years I have been an avid home brewer, but on this day I was ready to chuck it all out, all because of a stupid can opener!!!

A very simple task is to open the cans of syrup that go into the barrel with a mix of boiling and cold water. Sounds simple, but when I tried our can opener it just gave up and broke. Must have been the hot weather.

So into the car I get and fly down to the local supermarket, but all they had were these crappy $3.00 models, which I later discovered were overpriced by about $3.00 !!!!
The $3.00 model did about three revolutions then disintegrated, much to my anger!
My overseas readers could have heard me swearing when that crappy opener broke, as I was really under the pump time wise on this day to get the beer made.

My solution?

Get out the hammer, screwdriver and pliers and break into each tin. It was a hack job, but I got what I needed.

Finally have the syrup mixed with the hot water, all Going well.  Adding the yeast to the barrel, now topped up with cold water so as to not kill the yeast.

























Two barrels happily bubbling away, this takes about a week and then they are ready for bottling.
A week or so later and I have about 120 stubbies (375ml) to store away. Should be ready to drink in about 6 weeks.

I usually spend the warmer months making lots of beer which then lasts me a whole year. I still have quite a bit of beer that I made last December in my shed that is still great to drink.

So why do it?

Firstly, I like beer!! Other than that it is very economical, plus I just like the science of it all.


Well readers, that's about it for tonight, but I continue to be intrigued about the sudden rise in the readership from the U.S.
A similar thing happened a few months ago with readers in France, so once again, I'm just putting it out there, give me some ideas!!

This is just the stats from the past month.

Hopefully readers I'll have something a bit more exciting to report on in the upcoming weeks as we start our school holidays in a fortnight.

Until my next post...

Cheers!!

Two posts in a week...a record!!!

Hi Readers,

After a few weeks where I looked like i had gone into hibernation I have now cranked out two posts in a week. That must be something to celebrate!!

Actually, it is bucketing rain here in Bendigo after a few days of glorious sunshine, and I'm housebound and can't just sit around as I always find I need to be doing something.

So, why not add to the blog? I also have a fair bit of schoolwork to do, but that can wait a bit!!

In a week where we lost the great Leonard Cohen, I came across this clip where 1 500 people came together to form a mass choir in a shed and sing 'Hallelujah'. It is totally amazing, and what captures me most is seeing the passion in the faces of the people singing it. Maybe the camera people just nailed it, but I get the impression that these people are singing with true passion, regardless of their singing ability. How good is that!!

Go to:

https://powerofhumans.com/2016/07/inspiration-powerful-moment-1500-people-sing-hallelujah-together/

Now I just have to decide who does the best version. KD Lang rips out a classic version...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P_NpxTWbovE

But then again, Jeff Buckley does an outstanding version...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HKnxmkOAj88

Let's end the discussion with the man himself. You be the judge...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrLk4vdY28Q

Exciting lessons this week at school...

For those readers who do not know me, but just enjoy reading my ravings, I am a school teacher in a large primary school in Bendigo.

For the past few years I have been more in an administrative role and do not have a classroom, although I do spend time in various classes providing support.

One thing I do with our Grade 2 classes each week is to do a demonstration lesson with one class, and then that teacher explains it to the other 3 teachers in their team during their planning time together later in the day. We rotate the classes each week so that each teacher has a crack at explaining what has been done to their colleagues in the unit.

I love going into these classes because not only are the kids excited and receptive, so are their teachers.

So last week I went into one class and we began by trying to make 3 digit numbers in different ways.

We started rolling dice, and every time we got ten ones, we created a ten, and then ten 10's created a hundred and so on. We call this 'Bundling' and it is a fantastic way to understand and comprehend our place value system. 

My focus is to use a range of materials for bundling so that they don't see materials as only being useful for certain activities.

If I had my act together I could have brought in a box of rice bubbles or Fruit Loops and used them, or Smarties, Skittles or dried pasta. Anything that enables counting and grouping.

Here the kids are using popsticks and blocks.

These boys are using more formal ones, tens and hundreds blocks.

This boy is organising his groups into hundreds and tens and ones very neatly.

The highlight was this girl who often struggles with maths being able to really demonstrate her understanding of the value of her numbers.

So what do we do with the numbers?

Their class teacher and I then created a large grid on the floor using masking tape.

It was important that they saw the grid being made, rather than having it all made up beforehand, as it created a context for using their numbers.

Maybe we could use my growing bald patches as a launching place for some activities on area and perimeter???

We then discussed what the grid looked like, and how we might be using it.

So many fantastic suggestions were put forward.

I then had one child put her number on the grid, and told the class this was now a counting chart.

Another child was asked to put his number on the grid, based on the one that was first put on.

We now had a reference point for our numbers, so now everyone could try and see where their number could go.

There was much discussion, shifting of numbers and debate.

After checking out our result, they collected their numbers for another go, but this time I got the first girl to put her number down, but in an entirely different place. This changed the layout of the grid dramatically.

Since then, the grid has remained on the floor and is used in a number of ways.

For instance, I went in there before school the other day and placed two numbers in specific spots. The plan is for the kids to investigate what the counting pattern is, and then complete it.

I love this activity as it is so open ended and enables all children to work together at the same time. There can always be a multitude of answers and all children can contribute and participate regardless of their ability.

Olympic visitors to our school...

Last Friday our school hosted a Leadership Day for Grade 5 children from all of the Bendigo Catholic schools. There would have been a few hundred children in attendance.

The kids were treated to a number of activities that were conducted by some of our current and past Olympians.

For the life of me I cannot remember their names except for one, who I remember well as he was in an event that I followed closely in the past.

From left to right we have the organiser, a gymnast from the Rio Olympics, Kyle Vander Kuyp (Australian Hurdles record holder and dual Olympian from the 80's and 90's), a soccer player from the 80's, a gymnast from Rio and a swimmer from Rio.

Just some of the many children in attendance.

The Olympians addressing the kids.

Remembrance Day 2016

As our main assembly area was being used for the Leadership Day , we conducted our Remembrance Day commemoration over the PA.
Massive credit to these kids for the way they did it and also to the teacher who guided them.
Extremely reverent and well received throughout the school.

So readers, who nows when my next post might eventuate?

We are quickly heading towards the end of the year and so much needs to be done between now and then.

Tomorrow I am off to a maths PD day in Shepparton which I am really looking forward to as the presenter is brilliant, and is also the one who introduced me to the activity that I did with the class last week.

The rain has started to abate and there is even a glimpse of sunlight coming through, so it looks like it's off the couch for me and into something more energetic!!

Until my next post...

Cheers!!

Back to the Blog!...

Hi Readers,

I have been having a big case of the guilts lately as I have really neglected this blog.
Hard to believe that it is 6 weeks since I last posted, so if you are one of my regular readers, sorry for the delay.
I could make up lots of excuses, but that's what they'd be, just excuses, so I'll just meander on as usual and see what ends upon this post.

The funny thing is, I never really plan what I'm going to bang on about, I just start with nothing and see what happens from there.

I just had a read back over my last post, and I can still vividly remember the excitement that I was having back then at the prospect of having our entire family back together again, as our eldest son came home from London for a few weeks.
The ironic thing however, was that I think there was only one night when the five of us were in the house together and we still failed to get a family photo done. One son had to go to work and didn't get home until well after midnight, and by that time my wife and I had already crashed to bed. We couldn't really wake him early in the morning as we were heading off to work, and by the time he surfaced another son had already headed back to Melbourne where he attends Uni.

So, despite our best intentions, we got photos of each of the boys, but none with all three together.

Despite this, it was great having all three around at different times, and just hearing them slag off about each other in the most jocular way only emphasises how much they love each other and like to be together.

Lachie on a quick visit home, but Will was at work!!

Lachie and Sam, now to get Will.

Sam and Will with Jen, but no Lachie!

Seeing Sam off at the airport last week, something I never look forward to.

I just wish that he took these Mango flavoured Tim Tams back to London that he bought just before leaving. They will still probably be here when he comes home again in a year or so.!!

We also managed to have a great get together last week before Sam headed back to London, and were joined by our great friends from next door, Nev and Nat Zimmer. 

When we get together with these two there is never a shortage of laughs and good old fashioned banter. The day after always finds us feeling a tad shabby, must be due to lack of sleep!!

Nothing better than just sitting around with family and friends.

Last weekend I was lucky enough to head back to where I grew up, a small town only 30 or so minutes drive from where we live in Bendigo. It is strange how I never get back there much, but it just seems that life moves on and we make new lives wherever we go. Still, I have some of my closest friends still living there, and after the events of this year where we lost our brother suddenly, I am now more conscious of keeping in touch with friends who I may have lost contact with for a variety of reasons.

After taking some photos of my brother's house as I am in the process of selling it (any readers want a bargain???) I popped out to a farm to see my good friend Raj, who was best man at our wedding nearly 30 years ago.

I must point out here that very few of us go by our proper names, as nicknames are the norm!

For example, they call me Barney!

Anyway, after an hour or so with Raj and his beautiful family it was off to see another mate, Stumpy, who also has had to deal with tragedy this year.

Was it just coincidence that a few nights before I went to visit my friends that I watched a documentary about the importance of men being able to speak up and express their emotions?

With both of these great men we talked like we had never done before, without fear of 'not being manly'. The documentary advocates that is more manly to actually 'man up' and talk about things. Maybe that's why it was called 'Man Up'!!

Walking into Stump's front yard was a bit of an experience, as the picture shows. He had recently finished shearing, and also needed his grass down around the house, and his sheep were more than happy to oblige!

A beautiful day in Colbinabbin, showing why it is such a rich wine making area.

Stumpy's front yard.

Keeping the grass down at Stumpy's.

I should also mention here that next door is his Winery that he runs with his wife, Mt Burrumboot Wines. I'm not a wine drinker myself, but my wife and friends rate this wine highly. The same applies to Raj's wine, which goes by the name Hennings.

A great shot of a lush wheat crop as I approach Colbinabbin.

And finally, my health. Or lack of it!!

As regular readers are aware, I've had a bit of shoulder trouble this year after surgery. I had a few other procedures done, all to no avail, so last week I was sent to a rhueomotologist (Clearly that's not how you spell it!!) in Melbourne to see if she could shed any light.

Initially I had been told by my surgeon that he was predicting rheuomotoid (another crack at spelling it unsuccessfully!!- maybe I should google it!) arthritis, but this new doctor put me at rest by not dispelling it, but saying that she was confident it was not the main problem.

So, her advice? Go back to Bendigo with these forms "and get some blood tests done"

This is what they took from me when I waddled in for some simple 'blood tests'...

Just take away one test tube and you'll get the picture.

They took 11 vials of blood, and by the end I was beginning to wonder if they'd leave me with anything at all!!

I have to ring in a few days for some results, so with that many samples they should be able to test me for anything ranging from arthritis to the Black Plague. Or maybe they are just searching in vain for any sort of intelligence???

So readers, the Blog is back, sorry for being so slack of late, as I do really enjoy doing it.

I've noticed of late a lot of readers from France, so if there is a reason for this, let me know.

Any comments from anyone, anywhere always welcome, even if you just list the city you come from, I won't stalk you!!!

Until my next post...

Cheers!!

What else does one do on Holidays???

Hi Readers,

After spending much of last week in Brisbane, enjoying the brilliant weather and sunshine, how can I top that this week?

Well I know it was bleak flying back into Melbourne on Saturday night, still dressed in my shorts and t-shirt and being greeted by rain and cold weather, but this week has still been better.

It wasn't all the work I have done in the yard since Saturday. For those who don't know me, we have a fairly big block of land that requires quite a bit of maintenance. At this time of the year the grass
(weeds) just go ballistic. This year has been worse as we have had a combination of some warmer weather and a lot of rain. I have spent a few days with my head down and my bum in the air ripping out weeds, at least three trailer loads have been taken to our local green waste facility.
Add to that about 6 hours of mowing, and then a similar amount of time on the whipper snipper.
And to top it off, I added a few hours on the chainsaw yesterday clearing up all the wood for our fireplace.
To say I am over our yard at the moment is an understatement!!

This is what it looks like when it is green...

And when it is dry and lots of leaves have dropped in the heat...

And when it rains!!

And when we compare the two when I have cleaned up!

It is a great block of land, but we hardly use it, and it does take a lot of effort to maintain.

As you can see we have a lot of gum trees on our block, and they are a constant worry as they drop branches, and fall over without warning. We had about 6 of hem dropped a few years ago as they were becoming too much of a threat of falling on our house, or our neighbours, and today I reckon we have identified three more that will need to come down.

Not looking forward to the cost of that, or the clean up!! 

On the positive, it will supply us with a year or two of firewood!!!

So, this week is better than last week, and it isn't because I have really got heaps done in the yard.

Could it be because I am fully ready and prepared to go back to school next week?

You are dreaming!! Perhaps after tomorrow?

Could it be that it is Grand Final Week? I absolutely love my footy, and the Grand Final is the pinnacle of the year. I love nothing more than watching it and the build up only adds to the excitement. Also, it motivates me to clear the decks in the days leading up to it so that I don't have to do any jobs on Saturday.

Heaven help the world if Richmond ever make the Grand Final, let alone win it. I would be a total maniac for a year if that happens!!!

The spiritual home of Richmond, Punt Road Oval.

And the firebox that was meant for our late brother, which I was lucky to have been given.

Nope. It's not that.

Could it be that I am starting to feel a lot better (although sorer!) since I stopped taking the medication for the ongoing problems with my shoulder? I was really worried about the side effects so stopped taking the pills. It has taken a week or two but already I can feel that the side effects I was suffering from have subsided. Sure, my shoulder hurts more, but I'm used to it now, so I just suck it up.

Nup. Not that.

So what is it?

This morning our alarm clock went off at 3.30 and we were in the car and off to the airport in Melbourne to collect a very precious package. We were back home by 8.00 with our package, and by then the day felt like it was half over!

How was I going to stay awake for the rest of the day???

The rest of the day was spent finalising a lot of details for our late brother's estate, time that I really needed as it becomes too hard to do when at work.

I also got back in the yard collecting firewood ( I am NOT doing any more yard work these holidays!!)

I even got out for a good workout for an hour or so before the expected bad weather hits us. (That is my real addiction!!)

I even went down into our bottom lounge room where there is another TV to watch a few episodes of 'Long way Round', but fell asleep in less than 5 minutes, so now I have to catch up on my 'catching up'. It is a series about two blokes who ride their motorbikes from London to New York, and being someone with a love for motorbikes, I just love it!

So what was it???

One of our boys lives and works in London, and has popped home for a couple of weeks for a visit before he heads back again.

Welcome home Sam!! That was the special package we had to collect.

This is the best part of the holidays so far, it has been a while since we have seen him. I did catch up with him when I was in London back in March, but his mum and two brothers have not seen him since January.

 The two of us chowing down on the biggest hamburgers in London earlier this year.

And, with a bit of luck we just might manage to get a new shot of the five of us together.

So readers, the best thing about these holidays has been getting to see all of of our family and just spending that time together that is so precious.

The next few weeks will be just fantastic!!

Only a few more days left for these holidays and then next week is a huge one for us at my school as we have quite a bit on to say the least.

Until my next post...

Cheers!!