Rant #2,135: Rise

Yesterday, it felt like the last vestiges of winter outside.

Temperatures had a hard time getting into the 50s, and some people were wearing their winter coats again.

And this was on April 30 yet, not March 30.

Now that April is done, at least in my neck of the woods, it has been rated one of the chilliest Aprils on record.

In other places, I know snow was still coming as of month's end.

Global warming? It's more like global chilling.

But now we are in May, and I think it is time to dance around the maypole again, like we did as kids in school when such behavior was not considered to be communist on May 1, May Day to some people.

I look at the week's projected temperatures, and I see numbers in the 70s, and later in the week, we are actually expected to get into the 80s.

So it looks like at least at the start of it, May is finally going to have temperatures to shepherd us into the summer.

I am looking forward to swimming in the backyard tub ... err ... pool, and I am looking forward to barbecues and other outside fun.

Maybe I can look more optimistically now that we are actually going to experience some 80 degree temperatures this week.

And with the rise in temperatures also goes the rise in gas prices.

Right now in my neck of the woods, gas prices are getting into the $2.80s per gallon and more area, creeping up very quickly to the $3 mark.

The so-called experts say it is simply supply and demand, with the demand getting heavier as the weather gets warmer.

Of course, gas companies have launched their vaunted "summer blends," which are more expensive to produce.

And, of course, each gallon of gas, depending on where you live, contains elements to stifle pollution--in New York, we probably have as many of these as any state in the Union.

And also, let's not forget the taxes that are put on each gallon of gas here.

You mix that all together and you get $3 a gallon or more.

I still think it is all pretty orchestrated.

Don't tell me that gas companies don't know that people are going to be driving more when the weather is nicer, so of course gas is going to be more expensive in the summer than it is in the winter.

But whatever the case, rising temperatures outside mean rising prices at the pump, and I do believe that they play off one another.

But at least they aren't what they were a couple of years ago, when we were paying something near $5 a gallon for gas.

I remember that coming up four years ago, when I got my then-new 2014 Kia Optima, the dealer I bought it from gave me a minimum of gas when I picked the car up, and I had to rush out and get gas.

It cost me $67 to fill that tank, so I know that gas was pushing $5 a gallon just four years ago.

So while we are not at those levels, when you go from about $1.60 for gas just about two years ago to approaching double that now, it is not a mirage, your wallet is getting a bit thinner.

But at least you can finally bask in the sunshine and get a tan when you are filling up.

I have some personal business to attend to tomorrow, so I will be skipping tomorrow's Rant.

Speak to you again on Thursday.