Over the years, and I am trying to be modest here, I have carved a reputation for the ability to execute deft financial moves.

I admit that from time to time I have misjudged the situation and I will be the first to say I should never have opposed the move toward sliced bread and then of course there was the market revolt that ensued when I advised investors to put their money on stocks in the automobile company that made the Stanley Steamer.

I confess I was wrong about the public acceptance of sliced bread as the wave of the future but I am starting to believe the Stanley Steamer business shows a lot of room for growth. After all, Canada is running out of oil and other energy resources but as long as we have politicians we will always have hot air so hang on to that Stanley Steamer portfolio folks because those machines could make a comeback.

I am also telling people that in these uncertain times they should put their money in socks. I am not talking about those off-shore socks that already have a hole in the heel as soon as you get them out of the wrapping, I mean good Canadian woollen socks that come from good Canadian sheep that are kept outside during our good Canadian winters and develop sturdy coats that are able to shrug off a direct hit from a Sidney Crosby slapshot.

Get the long ones too that can hold a lot of loonies and toonies then when the latest crisis that doomsayers cry will be the end of society as we know it is over and things return to normal you can sell your socks at a handsome profit.

Just remember that stock market profits may wither, but good Canadian woollen socks never shrink.

But here's some good news for a change.

I have noticed with great interest that the month of October has been declared as the Toronto Walking Festival and the whole idea is to urge the citizens of this great city to get off their sofas and onto their feet. The project has earned the backing of our elected representatives and it is encouraging to see a group that often has its feet in its collective mouths urging us to put our feet on the sidewalks, which is where they belong. I will be watching this development closely because it fits nicely with my plans to launch a protest movement I call Take Back Our Streets, which hopefully will return the use of sidewalks to pedestrian traffic. My aim is to put the walk back in sidewalk.