Just back from a week's vacation. Very little thinking went on during this time, but I did gain some insight on the whole gas-price issue that I thought I'd share with you.
This insight came during the evening entertainment at our extended-family gathering. Every year when we get together, the young nieces and nephews stage a skit, or series of skits, featuring Jack the Villain, a nefarious and shady character with a paper pig named Piggy for a sidekick who is forever escaping the clutches of a team of spies.
Jack the Villain happens to be played by my husband, who is otherwise not nefarious or shady but does have a fondness for bacon.
Ever a topical theater company, one of the skits this year was titled, "The Mystery of the Gas Prices." In it, Jack travels to the United Arab Emirates to take charge of the world oil market. His first action upon taking control: to raise the prices.
It's as good an explanation as any I've heard. And no, the spies were not able to detain him.
- Terri Hallenbeck