Mercy Mercy Me

Oh, mercy mercy me...Oh, things ain't what they used to be
Where did all the blue sky go?

Poison is the wind that blows from the north, east, south, and sea

Oh, things ain't what they used to be
Oil wasted on the oceans and upon our seas
Fish full of mercury

Oh, things ain't what they used to be.

Radiation in the ground and in the sky
Animals and birds who live nearby are dying

Oh, things ain't what they used to be
What about this overcrowded land?
How much more abuse from man can you stand?
My sweet LordMy sweet LordMy sweet Lord

Just when I had blogged about the price of gas!...

The Wall Street Journal's dismal front page news today reads, "Gasoline Hits Average of $4 a Gallon" with the subheader, "Price Shock, Among the Worst in a Generation, Will Worsen the Risk of Recession". Oh goodie. More good news!

I had also received an email from a dear friend who lives on Orcas Island - he commented that gas is nearing $5 a gallon there.

Well, on the plus side, there is less traffic, which means more people are staying home and hopefully having nice, meaningful conversations rather than being in a constant state of isolated mobility. See? Things aren't so dour after all!

More to come, I am sure!

Less traffic in LA - Fact or Fiction?

Oh yes...this is a fact...well, maybe an opinion...but one that has been the topic of many recent conversations with friends and family. The question "How much does it cost to fill up your gas tank?" has become very popular.

Yesterday a family member joked around that she should have filled up her gas tank the day before because of the rapid jump in price. No kidding! Gas is up to $4.55 in L.A.

Am I glad I drive a car with good gas mileage. I am one of those weekly customers at COSTCO - if I am in the general vicinity - and I can save $5 or $10 on a tank why not? It pays for a gallon of milk and a loaf of bread! No joke.

Prices in Los Angeles

For my international readers who may be interested to know the price of neccesities in Los Angeles...

Gas - has surpassed $4 a gallon. In LA that is tough because it take an hour to get anywhere and if you are a commuter, most of the time you are sitting on the freeway. I am definately glad I do not own a big gas guzzling SUV or a big engine in my car. I am a lot more careful about where I go...

Eggs - Now this shocked me. Eggs were a cheap staple. Not at $3.39 a dozen - not so cheap. The gal at Trader Joe's said she could remember they were only a dollar last year.

Daffodils - Remember those daffodils I waxed on about? They were orignally 99 cents a bunch - in a couple of weeks - the price has gone up to $1.29

Rice - The news reported a 160% increase. Someone is stock piling rice.

Wheat - The Eqyptian gal at Trader Joe's was telling me their is a wheat shortage in her country and that everyone is fighting over pita bread. Someone is stock piling wheat.

Milk - nearly $4 a gallon - the same price as gas. Is this crazy or what?

Best bargains in town can be found at:

1. The International Store on Hawthorne - lots of reasonably priced produce, bread and cheese.
2. Farmer's Market - lot of veggies and fruit for a dollar or more
3. COSTCO - obvious right? Tonight I was wishing for a big hunk of cake from the Cheesecake Factory. 1) it was off my driving route 2) I couldn't justify $8 or $10 for a piece of dessert. On my COSTCO run I discoverd chocolate covered ice cream that is covered in big chunks of yummy almonds. It was so big - my hand was literally getting tired holding the end of the wooden stick. It was amazing and for $1.62 it was the most enjoyable and best value. I will probably have to walk from here to AZ to burn off the calories. YUM