Finding A Little Humor In These RIDICULOUS Gas Prices-What Else Can I Do?

When I got my first car in 1971 it was a 1964 Ford Galaxy 500.  I remember taking it to Owen's Gas Station in Peoria and telling 'Al Zucksworth' "Fill it up or $5, Al, whichever comes first."  Oh, for those of you too young to remember gas station attendants, they actually came out to the car, washed your windshield, head and tail lights and checked the oil.  AND all while pumping your gas for you.  Rain, snow, sleet or hail they were out pumping with no fancy overhangs and never complaining. 

Anyway, Al would laugh because I'd say 'Fill it up or $5 whichever comes first".  One time in particular he brought me out a Pepsi, ON THE HOUSE, and said "Here, I know it will never take $5 in my lifetime to fill that tank but since gas just went up to 29 cents a gal. I thought I'd give you a perk."  Then he told me to give him the garbage off of my front seat so he could throw it away for me.  

Now that is service.

Then came my second car.  A 1972 Javelin.  V-8 and got about 12 miles to the gallon.  What did I care?  I wasn't married yet, and the only responsibility I had was helping mom with the dishes or cleaning my room.  Dad was thrilled.  He'd been a 'Rambler' man forever.  So, when I bought an American Motor's car he was so proud.  Mom was scared to death.  'How are you going to afford the payment, gas and insurance on that car?"  I took her with me when I picked it up.  It cost me $8 to fill it.  She threw a fit.  "You are spending twice the money in gas and the payment is $100 every month for the next 3 years."  Heck I was 18, living at home, making $400 a month, I was rollin' in the dough.  

When the gas wars hit, gas went down to 19 cents a gal.  On average it was between 26 and 36 cents a gal. depending on where you bought your gas.  I still went to Al's.

I remember those gas wars like it was yesterday.  Every morning I would drive to work past Al's to see what the new price was down to.   When I was afraid the car wouldn't run another block on fumes, I would drive in paying whatever the new price was.  By then I was saying "Fill it up or $10". 

Move ahead 40 years............................

I drive by several stations every night.  I never thought I'd see gas in my lifetime hit $3 a gal.  Boy, was a mistaken.  Night before last I checked out the prices in town.  All of them had shot up 20 cents over night and were hovering right around $4 a gal.  I still had half a tank and headed home, fuming myself.  Out in the middle of no where on my way home is a small gas station.  Guess what?  It was still at the lower prices of the night before.  So, I pull in and fill up.  Like I said before, the tank was just a hair over half when I pulled in. 

I kept saying to myself, "Fill it up or $60, whichever comes first.   I busted out laughing when it stopped at $55.50.  I never thought I'd see the day when it cost me $100 to fill my car.  Al Zucksworth would roll over in his grave, rest his soul. 

This is just a rant with a little humor.  I don't know what else to do but vent a little.  I'm numb, aggravated, and scared to death of what's going to happen, when it's going to happen and what we are really going to be facing sooner than later.  

Hope you all have a safe Memorial Day Holiday.