Summer

Calendars, we don't need no stinkin' calendars.

The Indy 500 has been run.

Everybody is barbecuing something.

Caps and gowns have been rented with some already returned, kids and wives are already checking out ties for dad, and shorts, tank tops, short sleeve shirts and frilly dresses are everywhere.

Sure pholks, those are indications that summer has arrived, even if the calendar doesn't say so.

But the real proof of summer's arrival is the annual “gotcha” at the gas pump. Scrap your calendars, reach for the wallet, debit or credit card. Exxon, Chevron, Shell and Valero and the energy brokers are in charge.

There is no need to wave the flag for starting summer. Just crank up the per-gallon price wheels on the service station pumps in mid-May and listen for the “ca-ching, ca-ching, ca-ching” or feel the hands of oil market speculators in your pockets and you've got instant summer.

A nationwide average 28-cent-per-gallon hike in two weeks in early May makes headlines but not sense. The rise is still in high gear. There is no shortage, certainly no swollen demand and nothing but market speculators to fuel the increase.

Of course, we Californians are so special we get higher priced extra-special blended gasoline to go along with our SPF 70 lotions, mustard and relish for our hotdogs and secret barbecue sauce. Plus, we've got a governor who once again will say, “I'll be back to save 'Kal-IF-ornya' from financial ruin this summer.” Too late Arnold, Kal-IF-ornya is drowning without water – or money. We are so special.

Ya know pholks, summer used to be fun. I'm not just talking about our youthful years when summer jobs, parties, swimming, romance and cruising in real cool cars were the norm. School ended in early June and started right after Labor Day. Having 65 cents for a night of cruising in my '53 Chevy was a big deal.

Vacations, no matter how short or long, near or far, cheap or costly, were things to dream about during the winter, wait on pins and needles in the spring and daydream about in the last 10 days of class, especially civics and advanced algebra.

Parents were as excited as their kids. Gasoline costs were not a factor in planning.
For almost everyone, the summer vacation was a break from the job. Today, having a job to have a vacation from is a luxury for too many of us.

It used to be that going to summer school was an option favored mostly by parents. Then summer school became a big deal and everyone jumped on the bandwagon.

Now summer school is being cancelled because school districts can't pay for it. There is no money to fuel the bandwagon.

“Summertime is coming and the livin' is easy. Fish are jumpin' and the cotton is high.”

But pholks, don't toss those calendars. The pictures are great. There are lots and lots of themes for every taste, preference, hobby, daydream, sport, collection and just about anything you can imagine. But putting information about the start of seasons and holidays are old hat. We don't need 'em.

Miles can be reached at mshuper@valleyvoicenewspaper.com