Friday, May 6, 2011

What is more vintage than 5 cent gas . . .

. . . I can remember pooling our CHANGE to fill up the gas tank!  I am really not that old, I just carried change with me as a toddler just in case my mom didn't want to break a $50!  tee!hee!

Seriously, am I the only one that thinks gas prices are manipulated during the busy driving months/holidays?  And yet we pay whatever price gas is because we gotta get where we are going!  At what price would we say enough is enough and get out our bikes?  Of course, since I live in the country, my medical bill for a heart attack as I was riding my bike would be much more than a tank of gas.  But don't even get me started on the medical issue! 

Wow!  This post took a turn for the worse.     Back to the photo . . .


Cute vintage gas stations like this were before my time but I think they should make a comeback.  Do we really need to buy groceries while we are filling up?  Do we need a stale slice of pizza with our big gulp to make it through until we get home?  Is a gas station the place we would go to buy that last minute gift?  Well, YES to all of the above!  Convenience is worth alot but, people!  We are sacrificing cuteness here!  


Is there anything more nostalgic than a black and white photo of a gas station?  Where someone filled the tank up for you, checked your oil and washed your windows.  Too bad we are always in a hurry.


Linking to Tricia's Photo Feature Friday at A Rosy Note.


Now, go and pump up those bicycle tires!



10 comments:

Lori @ Katies Rose Cottage Designs said...

Connie ~
I love those old gas station photos!
I remember the days when someone came out and checked your oil and washed your windows ~ In fact when my husband and I were dating he worked at a gas station and did that ~
Sweet memories !

xoxo
Lori

The Whistle Stop said...

Don't get me started on the price of gas... it wouldn't be pretty!!!
My shop is in an old gas station and I have yet to find an original picture of it. Simpler times would be welcome!
Laurie :)

Shell said...

Connie Girl,

I miss those old days! Where they'd come out and check your tires, your oil and clean your windows!

Sometimes? When you were out in the "sticks" there would be a Cafe or a Motel next door.... I'm gonna sound like an old Far*, but times HAVE Changed!

I guess I should consider myself fortunate that I still live in a relatively small, historically "driven" community. My gas station offers a few goodies to "grab and go" but at LEAST I know the Korean owners and their kids.....and they are great!

(I think owner Thomas would even help me change a tire or add more fluids to my car in a pinch!)

Fortunately, I also live 6 blocks from where I works...and I DO walk at times.....it's the Uphill climb that'll have me calling 911~

Hugs and Love
Shell

Donna said...

That sure is an adorable old station! Such charm!

The gas prices go up when demand is greatest. Also, during the summer months, the oil companies have to produce all kinds of special blends mandated by the EPA, state, and local regulators. All those special blends and the work that goes into resetting everything at the refineries and extra storage contribute to the higher prices! It's easy for the politicians and the main street media to paint the oil companies as villains, but their current profit margins are running about 9% right now. That's pretty low! The government taxes at the pump and at the refineries are several magnitudes greater than the company profits!

Tricia said...

Oh, I would go for cuteness too! I love that old photo. Thanks for linking up this week to Photo Feature Friday :)

~Tricia

Lisa said...

omg! that got a giggle out me, because, as I was reading the first part, I thought, I'd probably have a heart attach trying to save on gas, if I rode a bike...and I don't own a bike!
I remember an article...the gas station owner said, if he didn't sell convenience...beer, donuts, coffee, etc, he wouldn't make any money! Now what happen to old fashion competitive prices, I ask you?
I better not get started!

Southern Shop Girls said...

Oh Connie - love these photos. When I see anything that looks like a vintage gas station, it turns my head. There are a few old stations in Arkansas with rounded corners on the buildings. My heart goes pitter-patter! I'd love to set up shop in one and call it mine.

Years ago when I was in college (and I do mean years ago...), I had my grandmothers in the car with me one Fall afternoon. We were driving down the interstate where there was a sign for gas. It was 50 something cents a gallon (refer to the years ago reference!). This was a warm Fall day - with temperatures probably close to 85. My cute little grandmother thought that the sign was showing the outside temperature! We had a good laugh when I told her that the sign was advertising gasoline! She certainly wouldn't make that mistake these days, would she? Sad, but true.

Great post! Loved the walk down memory lane. Thanks.

Paula

Dawna said...

Great post! I love the vintage gas station as it was before my time as well hee hee...I like your sense of humor, ya made me smile :) Coming over from A Rosy Note

Colleen - the AmAzINg Mrs. B said...

Well, I remember when they were called "Service Stations" and what you got was...service! Yep..windows washed, oil checked, a friendly smile..and gas for $.25 a gallon {during "gas wars"} Most of the time, you could get by on a dollar of gas..wow..I am really dating myself, huh? *LOVED* the station photos!

A Box of Chocolates said...

how interesting we have the whole price manipulation thing happening here as well, certain days of the week are dearer and holidays always. Trouble is we are led by the price of oil per barrell as it relates to the US but if it goes up our litre price goes up and if it goes down well the price per litre stays up go figure. love the little service station so cute yes bring them back,