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THE CATHEDRAL OF LIFE

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THE CATHEDRAL OF LIFE - By Bernard Bujold -  Ever since I was a teenager, I’ve always gone to the gym—sometimes using highly specialized machines, sometimes homemade ones… My routine has evolved over the years, and while I used to push myself with intense workouts when I was younger, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve slowed down the pace. To stick with a gym routine, you have to enjoy the experience; otherwise, you’ll give up after just a few visits… At one point, I used to work out for an average of two hours per session, but today it’s 30 minutes on the treadmill and 15 minutes of weight training. For me, my gym session is also a form of daily meditation every morning at 8 a.m., before my coffee. The gym is like a cathedral. I’m alone in my own little world with my headphones on, listening to music, and for over a year now, my gym music has been Hildegard von Bingen. It’s cathedral music…  Have a great weekend—the last one of July in the summer of 2026!  SEE VIDEO GYMNASE ...

CIVILIZATION IN 2026

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CIVILIZATION IN 2026 -  By Bernard Bujold -  I had some fun asking artificial intelligence how society will evolve over the next few years. If there’s one thing we can be certain of, it’s that 100 years in the 1950s is equivalent to 10 years today—that’s how rapidly evolution and change are occurring.  Personally, I remember the days from my childhood when cows grazed in front of my parents' house…  Later, I witnessed the advent of black-and-white television and the telephone with a shared line between our neighbors. Television introduced me to the fictional world of *Star Trek* and the magic of teleportation. It was my mother who, around the same time, introduced me to photography—first in black and white, then on color film. My mother was a sort of precursor to Photoshop because she would use a pencil to correct flaws in the paper photos, like adding hair to my father’s head. Yousuf Karsh did the same thing in his studio with his creations…  By 2026, Photoshop...

THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES

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THE NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES…  By Bernard Bujold -  If I had to bet on who will be the next U.S. president in 2028 and succeed Donald Trump, I’d bet on JD Vance.  I took advantage of the weekend to read his recent book “COMMUNION,” especially since on Sunday his wife Usha gave birth to their fourth child, a boy the couple will name Alec Neel Vance. In a statement, the couple announced that “...the baby is doing well and their children are thrilled to meet their little brother...”  As for JD Vance’s new book, it’s a follow-up to his autobiography: *Hillbilly Elegy*. In *Communion*, JD recounts his departure from religious practice and his recent return to faith. Personally, I am not a practicing Catholic or a follower of any particular doctrine, but I enjoy reading or chatting with those who have religious beliefs.  SEE STORIES-  1- Birth of the baby  https://www.wsj.com/us-news/second-lady-usha-vance-gives-birth-to-baby-boy-1988bd1d?s...

THE 2026 SOCCER CHAMPIONS

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THE 2026 SOCCER CHAMPIONS …  By Bernard Bujold -  Spain is the winner of the 2026 soccer World Cup, defeating Argentina 1–0 in extra time on July 19, 2026. Substitute Ferran Torres scored the historic game-winning goal in the 106th minute at New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) to capture Spain's second men's World Cup title in their history. Personally, I was cheering for Spain as I am a great fan of the Spanish Rafael Nadal... President Donald Trump presented the Cup to the winner, and the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, was on the stage. SEE STORY THE WSJ  https://www.wsj.com/sports/soccer/spain-sinks-argentina-to-win-its-second-ever-world-cup-4abb3c4d?st=qxp6NB&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

GARAGE SALE

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GARAGE SALE—  I wanted to clean out the shed, and at a friend’s suggestion, I tried selling a few items on Marketplace… It was a total surprise! As soon as I listed the few items on the site, I received dozens of responses, all with the same message: “I’m very interested in your item and will pay you right away via bank transfer. ” The buyers hadn’t even seen the items… After running a check through artificial intelligence, it seems this is a favorite tactic of scammers—offering an immediate bank transfer to gain access to your bank account. In my case, I didn’t follow through, and my few items will stay in the shed for a while longer… AI’s advice for online sales: always insist on cash and collect payment upon in-person delivery in a public place.  Have a great weekend and stay safe!  www.lestudio1.com

THE ODYSSEY ACCORDING TO ULYSSES...

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STORIES FROM MY CHILDHOOD -  By Bernard Bujold -  One of the first novels I read as a child was *The Iliad and the Odyssey*, a book given to me by my aunt, who was the housekeeper for the village priest. It was a beautiful edition, with a white hardcover and gold-colored bands, published by *The Reader’s Digest*, a magazine to which the good priest subscribed. I reread *The Iliad and the Odyssey* a second time during my teenage years. I’ve always loved the romance of the book and its many adventures. In fact, two of the mascots on my social media accounts and my website have names inspired by this novel: Ulysses and Argos. Gus is inspired by the famous American dinosaur, the T. rex…  Memories of my childhood readings will resurface this weekend with the theatrical release of Christopher Nolan’s famous film starring Matt Damon, “The Odyssey.” We’ll have to see if the film is as romantic as the book. Personally, I never go to movie theaters, preferring more private viewing ...

THE FRENCH NATIONAL DAY 2026

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HAPPY FRENCH NATIONAL DAY - By Bernard Bujold - France’s National Day on July 14 commemorates two founding events: the storming of the Bastille in 1789 (symbolizing the end of absolute monarchy) and the Fête de la Fédération in 1790 (symbolizing national unity). Established in 1880, it is celebrated with military parades, public dances, and fireworks. Personally, I am of French descent, and my ancestors set sail from the port of La Rochelle bound for Port-Royal in Acadia (Nova Scotia). That was in 1690. ​Happy French National Day, 2026 edition!

JACQUES NADEAU - PHOTOGRAPHER

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JACQUES NADEAU, PHOTOGRAPHER…  By Bernard Bujold - I knew Jacques Nadeau, the photographer for the newspaper Le Devoir, quite well. His photos were journalism in its purest form. Jacques sadly passed away in December 2025 (at the age of 72), but he would be proud if he could see the two outdoor exhibitions dedicated to him this summer of 2026 in the streets of Old Montreal. The first exhibition, showcasing his entire body of work, is set up near Château Ramezay, and the second, which highlights his latest book project on the elderly, is on display on Rue de la Commune in front of the Old Port silos.  Don’t miss it!  https://www.chateauramezay.qc.ca/fr/expositions/expositions-temporaires/hommage-jacques-nadeau/