It’s time to talk about gas. Not the intestinal kind, the stuff that makes our world go ’round.

It was interesting that just in the past week the first methane powered rocket engine was test-fired in southern California. This is a whole new direction for NASA to think. They have always used fossil fuels. To them there was no other choice! The really interesting part of this test is the idea that space travel could become self-sustaining because of the abundant presence of methane on other planets and moons for refueling uses.

Methane is fairly abundant on our planet, too. H-m-m-m.

For well over 40 years there has been plenty of talk about developing alternative fuels for our cars and our homes; somehow it’s not gone much further.

We now have hybrid cars and hybrid fuel, none very convenient and not so affordable. How is that supposed to help?

Nationwide, gasoline prices have surged to a record $3.07 per gallon, nearly 20 cents higher than just two weeks earlier (an unbelievable $2.87 per gallon for regular). To those of us in northern California now paying $3.45 per gallon just for regular, the nationwide average sounds pretty good.

Here’s the real eye-opening piece of information. According to the nationwide Lundberg Survey of 7,000 stations, fuel prices for regular gas have increased a whopping 88.4 cents just since January 19, 2007.

What is a fuel dependent nation to do?

Also, according to Lundberg, recent increases are due mostly to refinery problems. They have reported that there have been at least a dozen partial shutdowns in the U.S. and internationally that have further cut refining capacities.

Recent, weekly government data has shown gasoline inventories continuing to fall during a season when inventory should be increasing due to the expected increase in summer traveling. Most summer driving begins Memorial Day weekend. This year supply may not be there to meet the demand.

In our town I have watched increases in gas prices of anywhere from .06 cents to .08 cents in less than four hours. What’s with that? How did fuel just sitting there turn suddenly more valuable?

Personally, I’m now watching my drive time, my combined trips or even asking, “Is this trip necessary?” I’ll bet you are, too.

So, where is our good old-fashioned American ingenuity? I’m sure it will surface soon. I don’t know how much more the common citizen can be squeezed in this manner. As it has been said, something’s gotta’ give. I don’t know where the “give” will be, but I’m sure it won’t be all that pleasant.

Until then, I’m trying to watch my fossil fuel use, but it is linked to so much in our daily lives: food, clothing, running our homes, cutting the lawn, fast food, running our city, the list just goes on and on.

Who expects regular to hit $4.00 a gallon by summer? I certainly won’t be surprised.

And finally, why are the oil companies still making all of those mega-bucks?

Maybe it’s time to buy stock... and a horse.