The good old days were in the last century

    The weather hasn't been behaving lately. It makes us nervous, looking mentally for a place where it would be difficult for a tornado to find us at home. From prices, we cannot hide. Sooner or later, they'll find us buying staples, potatoes, cornmeal and bread. This is filling stuff. We may, however, buy a cupcake for our birthday. Strictness has its limits.
    Following ar e some observations and studies I have made recently: The reason dollars stick to oil is because oil is gooey. Because the barrels are so expensive, I suspect the brand is Tiffany. Gas prices are a nightmare, but paying them is a crude reality. Does anybody know the end of this road?
    The guys receiving all the benefits from gas declared recently on TV that they are just having a lucky strike. I would like to ask these men what they they call what the rest of the country is having. Is it just the strike, a stroke or a spike on the driver's seat?
    When I came from Cuba in 1961, gasoline was 17 cents a gallon in Miami, Fla. About 20 years later, my husband and I were driving from Dodge City to Miami, and we commented how once we reached the main highways, gasoline was expensive at 38 cents a gallon. Here in town at that time, it was about a dime cheaper. The present economy is like a frightful story with too many chapters.
    My Olympic years are over, so riding a bike is out of the question. Streetcars stopped running after Marlon Brando called Stella in "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams. Horses are not easy to have at home, which is the reason why carriages are out of style. Walking to your place of work wears out your shoes. Water doesn't make a car run. Roses are red and violets are blue. So I'll keep on driving my car 'til my savings are out of order.
    Since we cannot use ketchup for everything, including our car's tank, be selective. Don't try extravaganzas. Champagne, even cheaper than gas, won't make your car run, and neither will vinegar, bottled water or colas. This is a vacationless age, vehicles or plane-wise. Wisely walk to your destination and enjoy sitting on the curb of cities’ sidewalks. Beware of traffic, it may run over your shoes.
    Stop on your journey to eat something. Remember the good old times when we used to stop for gas? Continue walking until you find a park, even though there are not very many available nowadays, because other people get there earlier.             Another hint is to visit relatives or friends who are still planning their own vacation and are at home. Go to their patio, open your tent and go to bed (I mean floor mat), have a good rest and ask the owner of the house at what time breakfast is served. It's always good to be right on schedule.
    Crunch the numbers and you will find there is not a better, cheaper, up-to-date vacation. When you and your family are leaving, don't tell your host when you will be available to have them at your place. To be grateful is important, so say thank you.
    I know this plan tastes awful and looks like a horror movie, but stop and think what today’s prices have done to you. Upon reaching home, play the home movies when you were putting gas in your car while your smiling family waited for you.
    It sounds like the good old times were in the last century. They were.