Been taking many road trips lately? Hmm... I didn’t think so. Now that gasoline is hovering around three bucks a gallon, we’re all trying to find ways to drive less. Yet some gloomy television news commentator had the nerve to suggest that we’ll be paying four bleeping dollars a gallon by July. At the same time, the retirement package for Exxon’s CEO adds up to a little under $400 million. That’s right. No typo. Four million big ones.

I’m sick of hearing about the great deal we’ve been getting compared to the price of petrol in Europe, although no one seems to complain like we Americans. However, we don’t live in little villages with trains running through town. Some of us drive in one year what a European will drive in a lifetime. Americans aren’t addicted to fossil fuels–we just love to drive. We live in sprawling communities and have many places to go and people to see. Our lives take us down many roads, and we need at least three vehicles per family. And, yes, we love our huge, gas‑guzzling SUVs and high‑profile vehicles. We are so NOT interested in itty‑bitty cars.

Oh, but wait. That was all before light rail, astronomical gas prices and even longer commutes to work. Perhaps we need to think compact and economical. I drove a Volkswagen Beetle when I was in my twenties, but I’d faint if I had to get behind the wheel of such a little car. Going back to “tiny” is a pretty long stretch. Besides, we love carrying stuff around in our vehicles. Computers, briefcases, tools, files, sporting equipment, doggy cushions, child seats, CDs, clothes and extra pairs of riding boots are only a few things we love to keep in our vehicles–not to mention the kids.

I heard a certain top‑level political leader, pointing a finger into the news camera, say: “Americans have gotten fat, dumb and happy when it comes to their dependency on gasoline.” Hey, I take issue with that statement. I resent being called happy. How could anyone be happy when you know that today, tomorrow or the day after you’re going to get robbed at the gas pumps?           

If you’re ever bored, Dear Readers, go to any station and look at the facial expressions of the poor, hapless gas addicts as they swipe their credit cards and watch, in glassy‑eyed horror, the dollar numbers advance faster than college students responding to “Free beer!” But it’s pretty interesting, as well as sad, to see how people are coping.

My husband, Doug, pays about $75 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 I’ll be riding my horses to a few more places, too. Soon we’ll need to install some hitching posts at our local shops and restaurants.

Then again, why stay in a bad mood over gasoline? It’s obviously out of our control. Still, I admit that sometimes I like my bad moods, and perhaps a few hundred million Americans who are not happy might be the best thing that could happen. Speak out, stand up, demand an explanation, and be sure to vote. In the meantime, bicycle, walk, share a ride, saddle up the horse, stay home more or dust off the roller blades. And be sure to drink a high‑octane beverage, which is the only high octane we’ll be able to afford.

Oh, good news: The value of gold is sky high, and there is a place in Phoenix that will exchange gasoline cards for your gold jewelry (time to rummage around for those watches and earrings you never wear). Jewelry for gas?  Now there’s a golden idea.