- BREAKING NEWS - 2026

THE WINE RESERVES ARE DRY...  By Bernard Bujold-  I love sharing a glass of wine with friends. I prefer red wine, although in the summer I occasionally switch it up with a white. I was devastated when the SAQ pulled American wines from its shelves on February 4, 2025, because they were my favorites. Luckily, I had a few cases in reserve… My favorites are Coppola and Mondavi. But now my reserves are almost gone, and with the breakdown of negotiations between Mark and Donald, I’m going to run out completely… Yet Mark and Donald had promised me they’d come to an agreement! Now the two are blaming each other for the failure of the negotiations…  I’m going to have to reach out to Giorgia Meloni and invite her to the cottage so she can bring me a case or two of her excellent LIANO Cabernet Sauvignon…  www.lestudio1.com

ACADIAN NATIONAL DAY - 2026 -EDITION - By Bernard Bujold -  Happy National Day to the Acadians, of whom I am one. The history of the Acadians resembles that of the Americans! Both peoples had to face England... In both cases, England wanted to occupy the territory. The big difference is the reaction! The Americans raised an army, took up arms against British soldiers, and waged war. The Acadians, being more peaceful, did not form an army or take up arms; instead, they chose to flee or be deported. War is always tragic, but it’s less terrible than deportation. During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), it is estimated that approximately 25,000 Americans died fighting on the side of the American Revolutionary forces. During the deportation of the Acadians, which began in 1755 and continued until 1763, it is estimated that 5,000 people died. These tragic deaths occurred primarily due to the catastrophic conditions of the deportation. At the time of the deportation in 1755, the...

A QUEBEC BOOK IN 2026—  By Bernard Bujold - Ever since my childhood in the Gaspé Peninsula, I’ve been an avid reader.  For Quebec Book Day on August 12, 2026, I suggest a detective novel. An author I’ve known well since her very beginnings: Louise Penny, who lives in the Eastern Townships, and her latest mystery: "The Black Wolf". Louise is a shy person, and I remember her first book fair in Montreal in 2005, when her booth was completely empty. By 2026, she had become a world-renowned and respected author. Personally, I’ve read Louise’s entire Armand Gamache series—19 books in total—but I haven’t seen her in person for about ten years. I have to say that her friendship with Hillary Clinton hasn’t exactly helped our relationship, since I’m a fan of Donald Trump...  Enjoy the read.  https://www.renaud-bray.com/Livres_Produit.aspx?id=4471555&def=Loup+noir%28Le%29%2CPENNY%2C+LOUISE%2C9782898113451

THE PASSION OF THE DREAM By Bernard Bujold - If there’s one phenomenon I’ve never been able to explain to myself—only observe—it’s the positive energy that another person’s presence can radiate toward me. At my advanced age, I’ve given up any romantic ambitions and enjoy my solitude, but occasionally I can’t resist the feeling of attraction toward another person—usually a woman who’s often far too young for an old man like me. Of course, I never let that attraction go beyond a fleeting thought, but the positive energy it brings always gives me a new lease on life.  When I was younger, I would have believed in the goddess of love, but with the wisdom that comes with age, I know now that love is ultimately a fleeting feeling that’s best not to try to capture, because love is, in the end, a dream and a mirage—and that is the very beauty of love: the dream and the mirage…  Have a great summer 2026!  www.lestudio1.com

LIFE'S VALUES…  By Bernard Bujold -  During a walk around the lake, I was thinking about my life’s values. In my view, three fundamental values determine who my friends are and who I want to have in my life:  1. Loyalty;  2. The courage to stand by one’s opinions (standing up for oneself in front of others);  3. Mutual understanding and support for one another.  Of course, these are my own personal guiding principles, and if there were a fourth value, it would be to live and let live—without trying to impose my ideas on others or letting myself be swayed by the ideas of others. This brings us back somewhat to the second value: standing up for oneself.  Have a great August 2026.  www.lestudio1.com

A MINORITY GOVERNMENT IN QUEBEC IN 2026 - By Bernard Bujold - It is becoming increasingly clear that Quebec’s next government will be a minority government and that the leading political party will have to form a coalition with one of the two other parties close behind it in order to govern Quebec. If the Liberal Party comes in first, a coalition with the CAQ would be the natural choice, but we can also ​predict that if Paul Saint-Pierre Plamondon comes in first, he would have to wait until a second term for his referendum initiative (in 20​30), since neither the Liberal Party nor the CAQ will ever agree to support the Parti Québécois on a referendum motion.  Personally, I promised ​a former fellow journalist, Philippe Schnobb, that I would vote for him, but I made it clear to him that my vote was for him as an individual and not for the Parti Québécois. In fact, everyone who knows me knows that I’m a fan of Mark Carney and that I was also a big fan of Pablo Rodriguez…  To be ...

GETTING READY FOR NEW ADVENTURES...  GO EAST OR GO WEST? By Bernard Bujold -  As we begin August 2026, preparations are underway for our September 1 departure for new adventures...  Stay tuned!  SEE VIDEO https://drive.google.com/file/d/1J9WJYluWJG4ZCahwSXEf-KvGz40lmHVr/view?usp=sharing

THE ART OF LEADERSHIP -  By Bernard Bujold -  Friends often ask me why leaders I admire, such as Donald Trump or Elon Musk, aren’t more democratic in their decision-making and don’t consult the general public to build consensus on their actions. My answer is: why should they? Throughout history, leaders have always imposed their personal ideas through their actions, whether in politics or business. Ultimately, that’s what makes a great leader. Of course, there will always be those who are dissatisfied, but that’s just how life goes. There’s also that universal adage: “Whoever has the chair makes the decisions.” The trick is to keep the chair; otherwise, you’re out...  Personally, in politics, I’m a moderate centrist, but I love Donald Trump’s right-wing persona for his style. Since 2016, I’ve had a lot of fun watching Donald with his gruff and unpredictable personality, which is very much like my own—minus the power and financial wealth. I also love how Donald has no...

THE JOYS OF DEATH By Bernard Bujold I am surprised every time by how cruel human beings can be to one another. From what I’ve observed, humans are more violent than animals, which attack to survive or feed themselves, whereas humans attack for the pure pleasure of domination. Recently, one of my neighbors and friends in my city condo building passed away from cancer. He was 74 years old. His illness lasted only six weeks... My neighbor was deeply committed to ensuring the building was well managed, and he didn’t hesitate to ask the members of the board of directors questions regarding the proper stewardship of the building and the spending of funds. Obviously, this did not sit well with the board members or their friends. In a condo building, it’s a carbon copy of every other form of government out there—whether municipal, provincial, or federal—with partisan polarization in decision-making. There are always two factions, if not more, when it comes time to choose the color of the entry...

HUMAN WEALTH...  By Bernard Bujold -  I haven’t been practicing any religion for several years, but I enjoy chatting with the local pastor. We always have interesting discussions, though they’re often controversial and can get heated. My friend, the pastor, likes to point out that he admires my neighbors’ financial wealth, whereas I never judge anyone based on their financial possessions. In my view, what matters is a person’s soul and their human kindness. So I always challenge the good pastor when we bring up the topic of human wealth. In the end, we always wrap up our conversation by looking out at the lake... If you ask me why I stopped going to church, here’s your answer... But I do like my neighbor, the good pastor…  This Sunday, July 26, was the last Sunday of the month! Next weekend, August will be upon us!  www.lestudio1.com

DINNER WITH THE FAMILY -  By Bernard Bujold -  President Donald Trump enjoyed dinner with the journalists on Friday night, July 24 … It was like a family dinner where everyone is respectful and, for the duration of a meal, sets aside differences of opinion and family conflicts. It must be acknowledged that Donald Trump and the journalists are from the same family, whose culture is the art of communication. Ultimately, politicians and journalists are all actors with a message…  SEE FULL STORY WSJ  https://www.wsj.com/us-news/white-house-press-gathers-for-do-over-with-trump-at-smaller-high-security-gala-cf371875?st=UKwKpP&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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 ...