I frequently forget to put on one of my many poppies collected over the years. When I pass a poppy seller at the entrance to the liquor store or some other popular sales location, I don’t have cash in my pocket – who carries coins anymore? Yet I want to say to the seller “I’m with you, I’ll be at the cenotaph in Orangeville on November 11th”.

“He had an audience of one” is a phrase used to explain statements expressed by people speaking on behalf of a famous person residing with our neighbours to the south. The statements on his behalf strain credulity but they are expressed only for one person.

 More than 40 years ago some friends planted two maples on the front lawn of our former home in the country. They have grown from saplings to majestically beautiful arches creating a shady place of conversation and friendship. But one tree isn’t doing so well.

 These are wild days for a political junkie. Today’s Canadian election uncertainties, Brexit’s machinations and the addictive turbulence of our neighbours to the south make for a fine junkie buffet.

At my age you sometimes wonder if you are having a flash of insight or some other sort of flash. The other day was one of those times.  Just before Jesus says, “ask and you will receive, seek and you will find, knock and the door will be opened”, he tells a quick story.