I can recall a day when gas stations made air available for their customers at no charge. But then, that was when filling station attendants provided other services as well, such as filling the gas tank of the car, checking the oil and cleaning windshields. Back in those days, rock ‘n roll stars sang tunes about cars.

Nobody is going to write songs about cars today. I can’t even imagine a song about a “hybrid” or a “cross-over” or a “mini-van”.

At some point and I don’t know exactly when it happened, the old air pumps were removed from gas stations and air vending machines were installed. Suddenly topping up your tires cost $0.25. Then one day it doubled and that little blast of air cost $0.50.

So why am I going on about all this? Yesterday, Tuffy P was driving the Anchovy-mobile and the back left tire went flat as she was arriving at her destination. I headed for the scene and changed the tire. The Anchovy-mobile, an old Corolla, came equipped with a real tire as a spare, not just one of those stop-gap donuts. I had no idea. This was the first flat with this car. However, this tire, while drive-able, was a little low on air, so off I went to visit a gas station, armed with two quarters thoughtfully provided by Tuffy P. Imagine my surprise to discover the cost of air had doubled again to $1.00. Obviously this station provided better quality air. Nature’s air. Premium hi-test air. I trundled into the station to ask the attendent if he would kindly give me two loonies for a toonie so I could use the air machine.

Buddy in the gas station was a prince among men. Either that or he was short on change. “It’s OK”, he said. “Just press the button. I have it turned on in here.  Your air is free today.”