"Wipe the windows, check the oil, dollar gas"

Ominous. Last week, I filled up the tank at $3 a gallon. Yesterday I passed the same station with gas going for $3.50 a gallon. 50 cents. In a week's time.

The Vega was a proud gas pump jockey during the second "oil crisis" in the late nineteen seventies. If you're old enough, remember odd and even days? And if you pumped gas back then, remember coming to work in the morning and already having lines formed for gas? Remember having some sort of heavy weapon on hand in case an odd got a little too demanding on an even day?

I don't remember gas prices ratcheting up anywhere near as quick in those days.