Around The Bluhmin’ Town

By

Judy Bluhm

With Memorial Day in the rear-view mirror, summer has officially arrived. That wonderful time of year when the gas tank is full, cooler packed, suitcase ready. Those road trips are waiting. Hmm, maybe not. Now that gasoline is around five bucks a gallon, it appears we’re collectively experiencing sticker shock. Some gloomy television news commentator had the nerve to suggest that we will also have gasoline shortages and might be rationing within two months!

We often hear how the price of petro in Europe is expensive, but no one seems to complain like we Americans. Well, we don’t live in little villages with trains running through town. Some of us drive in one year what a person in Europe will drive in their lifetime! We live in sprawling communities and have many places to go. Our lives take us down many roads (literally) and we seem to need at least two vehicles per family. Now we’re re-thinking our over-priced gas-guzzling trucks and SUVs.

Yes, it’s probably the perfect time for drivers to think small, compact and maybe electric. I drove a Volkswagen Beetle when I was in my twenties, and I think I’d faint if I had to get behind the wheel of such a little car. Going back to “tiny” is a pretty hard stretch. Besides, we love carrying “stuff” around in our vehicles. Tools, food, files, boxes, sporting equipment, doggy cushions, child seats, are only a few of “things” that we keep in our cars – not to mention the kids and pets!

I heard a politician point a finger into a news camera and say, “Americans should just be happy.” How could anyone be happy when you know that you’re going to get mugged at the gasoline pumps! If you are ever bored, Dear Readers, go to any gas station and look at the facial expressions of the poor, hapless, folks (like me) as they swipe their credit cards and watch, with glassy-eyed horror, as the numbers keep rising. One woman screamed at a Circle K pump, “I can’t take it anymore.” Yep, we hear you.

My grandson pays about one hundred and twenty bucks to fill up his truck. This is not a “happy” situation. I did notice that he purchased a bicycle a few weeks ago, which he claims is part of a fitness program and has nothing to do with a gas hog of a truck. I expect we will see folks riding their horses to a few more places. Perhaps we need to install some hitching posts at our local shops and restaurants.

But why get in a bad mood about gas prices? It’s obviously out of our control. I try to start out each day with a positive outlook. Especially if I don’t have to go to the grocery store or gas station. It’s all good! I have started drinking a high-octane beverage, which is the only high-octane I can afford.

On a “happy” note, there is a jeweler in Phoenix that is exchanging gold jewelry for gasoline cards. Gold for gas? I’ll take it, tank you very much.

Judy Bluhm is a writer and local realtor. Contact Judy at [email protected] or visit www.aroundthebluhmintown.com.