good morning

digital painting by Lohbado

raccoon

A racoon approached Lohbado when he paused for a break on the way up Mount Royal in Montreal.

ink relaxation

antimony

Woodlot's monument

ink drawings by Lohbado

Antimony is a paradox of reason, of two opposing logical ideas. For example, discussion about beginning of the universe could occur on a relative level. In the absolute sense, ultimate beginning is not possible, due to infinite regress. The discussion of determinism/freewill also involves paradox. Biological, social and economic forces determine or condition the individual. And yet a person appears free to spontaneously choose and to make moral decisions.

lohba vlog 32 death of Jack Pine

Lohbado remembered his grandmother's account of how Jack Pine died in 1970.

a quiet moment at the Oratory in Montreal

In the shade during a hot afternoon, one could enjoy a quiet moment. One could relax in the beautiful grove of trees of the stations of the cross garden, St. Joseph's Oratory, Montreal. more photos after the jump

Jean-Baptiste Day Montreal 2016

La fête nationale celebrations in Villeray, Montreal, with Maggy and Seth.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visits Villeray Street Festival Montreal

Prime Minister Justin Villeray visited the St. Jean Baptiste day festival this afternoon just as Lohbado arrived on the scene with his trusty old camera. The festival was a warm and friendly event, with games, activities for children, food and a band stand. More photos after the jump...

how does one arrive at knowledge?

a particular building in general

How does one arrive at knowledge? This is a question going back thousands of years. It's a fun question to contemplate. One could fill entire libraries with books offering theories, models and explanations. Nobody has the last word. The dominant model changes along with fashion.

portrait sequence

A sequence of portraits taken during a hot Sunday afternoon in Montreal to evoke a story.

stove dial situation

Lohbado watched the stove dials as he brewed a pot of coffee. Just like with anything, he sort of saw the dials and sort of didn't. The patina of age, years of greasy steam, spatter, repeated scrubbings wore off the shine. The dials are still legible. The stove works fine. It seems appropriate for an old guy to be using an old stove. Lohbado viewed the stove as a friend. The stove and I, we're on a journey together, from brand new to worn out.

Reverend Red Gunn's attempt to drive across the Plains of Radiation

digital painting by Lohbado

Rev. Red Gunn felt he had nothing left to lose. Abandoned at the age of four, his adoptive parents suffered personality disorder and manic depression. Rev. Red Gunn left home at 15 and lived on the street two years before being welcomed into the Moronovian Tabernacle, where he underwent training to be a Chief Nomroh. An ordained Moronovian, Rev. Red Gunn bought a used Cadillac and drove from town to town preaching the Great O, the Zero of everything and nothing. During his youth, Rev. Gunn was on fire. He never felt comfortable unless in motion.

remain in good spirits

digital painting by Lohbado

Whatever happens, remain in good spirits. That's what Lohbado's grandmother used to say. If you smile and pretend to be happy, then the darkness eventually dissolves. One's heart and mind might lighten up. Lohbado sat in a comfortable chair and imagined walking down a country road to the ocean. Let all worry, heartache, sorrow and pain dissolve into clouds over the sea. Enjoy the morning light.

warm sunny weather in Montreal

photos taken near the entrance to Cote des Neiges Cemetery

It's amazing when a stretch of cool dark days end. The clouds break up. There's strong wind, then a sequence of warm sunny weather begins. It's perfect for relaxing in the park. Lohbado enjoyed riding his bike up Mount Royal. There are so many spacious quiet lush green areas to slow down and ease the mind, to let go of stress and worry, to connect with nature.

lohba vlog 31 Bicycle ride in Montreal

Another Lohba vlog episode, this one about Lohbado riding the bike in Montreal and pausing in the Twilight Sculpture garden of Glen LeMeusier, where he thought about his grandfather who came back burned out from world war one. He lived in a cabin overlooking a lake, drank a lot of beer. One of his fingers was missing from shrapnel during the Battle of the Somme. That battle began July 1 and continued until November 1, 1916. 1.5 million men were killed. Grandfather used to sit in a clearing outside his cabin and drank beer to ease the pain. He died of a heart attack in 1970.

peaceful and confident

Lohbado in garden

Given the challenges of existence and the constant shocks of being in the world, Lohbado aspired to confidence, peacefulness and discipline. The biggest enemy to subdue is the enemy in one's own mind. Then one could radiate unlimited friendliness.

Lohbado visits Rosemont, Montreal

Lohbado rode his bike over to Rosemont and went for a walk along Masson. more photos below...

Friday rush hour

Lohbado paused a few times while riding home down Van Horne in Montreal during rush hour yesterday. Sometimes the cars don't leave much space for a cyclist. There's supposed to be space for a rider between the curb and traffic, but often cars don't leave enough room.

Lohbado dream

digital painting by Lohbado

portraits on the way to the store

More pictures below read more button...

portrait

Dr.Waltraud Gudrian

loading up for the wilds

see the other photos after the read more button

Two Montrealers preparing for a vacation to a remote lake north of Baie-Comeau Quebec. The canoe is of vital importance, plus a tent, wheel barrow, various saws, a metal bucket to heat water. Such an adventure requires a lot of careful planning. more photos after the jump...

portrait sequence

tattoo removal

tattoo removal

if your work makes you sick

why pay more?

Sometimes the billboards harmonize with the Montreal landscape. Some even seem to tell a story, or evoke a milieu. For quite a while, tattoos were popular. Tattoo parlours sprang up in virtually every town and city. Now it's becoming popular to have tattoos removed. And of course, what Gregoire says makes sense, why pay more if you could pay less... whatever that means. And if you're sick at work, follow the instructions on the panel. It's interesting how the lush trees appeared ready to swallow up some of the signs. The tattoo removal sign harmonized with the facade of the hardware/lumber store and the cloudy sky.

colourful afternoon in Montreal

old trucks in a gravel parking lot

sculptures on Van Horne between St. Urbain and Waverly

sculptures by Glen LeMesurier

Lohbado enjoyed a sunny afternoon of riding around taking in sights and sounds in Montreal. The above photos were taken in a sculpture garden near Van Horne Warehouse. A local artist, Glen LeMesurier, created what he calls the Twilight Sculpture Garden. He began placing work there about 2009.

lohba vlog 30

A train of thought, video poem or painting on a theme of anxiety and relaxation.

transcendent knowledge

digital painting by Lohbado

During a wave of anxiety, Lohbado sat in the park, gazed at the canopies of trees on the horizon and apartment towers and contemplated the situation. Transcendental knowledge is a huge term, which Lohbado would not attempt to explain. However, it's something to contemplate. First of all, what does transcendental mean? Lohbado preferred asking questions more than attempting to provide answers. Questions were like doorways to open the heart and mind to infinite nature. Anxiety felt like a state of being trapped in a confined space of worry and mental turmoil. When in a claustrophobic state of mind, to sit in the park and relax was good medicine.

big truck

friendly discussion

digital painting by Lohbado