Of course, she called as I was writing this missive. She always does.

It was Ms. Pigette, and she began to grouse as the winter’s melting snow pack was being replaced with Sunday morning’s latest offering.

“I am just ready to spit. I know the weather is a lot worse in other parts of the nation, but I am just fed up with being wet and cold, and being wet and cold again. Maybe next year, I could con some nice man to take me to the islands, or maybe the Azores.”

As usual, I just let her rant on until she caught her breath and paused. Then she started again.

“So, what did it cost?” she said.” You know. Last week, you worried about the cost of your latest home heating fuel delivery. How much?”

Yes, I said. My wonderful fuel oil vendor, who has performed with great skill, stopped by last week, filled up the tank, and left the bill. “Give it up, old man. How much?”

On St. Patrick’s Day, the price was $4.949 a gallon. A check of the family record showed that on Feb. 10, I paid $4.099 a gallon for fuel oil. So, last week, it looks like Mr. Trump’s Iran war cost me about a hundred bucks.

In the month-long Iran war, gas prices have jumped somewhere between a buck and seventy-five cents per gallon. The president and his minions keep telling us that it is a small price to pay to keep the Iranians from developing a nuclear bomb and dominating the world. But, from Fort Kent to Key West, the skyrocketing world oil prices pose a serious challenge to American family budgets. It won’t take long for them to inflate the price of groceries and everything else that arrives in a truck.

“Ok, smart guy. If the economy is everything, does this mean the Republicans will lose the November mid-term elections, giving the Democrats control of both houses of Congress?” Ms. P. said.

No. Not at all. Yes, the latest polls say the Democrats are slightly ahead. They say the president’s numbers are down. While the Republicans’ favorability is down 14%, the Democrats' favorability is down even more, almost 20%. The TV talking heads warn us that the GOP/MAGA base is still with the president, and the opposition base still stands with their leadership. But no one knows where the independents will land. And they could be as much as 40% of the total vote.We might get some idea this coming Saturday when the indivisible/no kings protesters are scheduled to rally in Maine and across the nation.

Look, my dear friend, polling, in general, is just an indication of something that may be happening. It is not a rock-solid prediction of things to come. Don’t bet the farm on the latest numbers. But you can bet your family budget will take a licking if oil prices keep skyrocketing.

Meanwhile, the White House is easing long-standing sanctions on Russian and Iranian oil shipments to dampen the upward world oil market prices.

“But,” said Ms. P., “Won’t that give Russia and Iran more money to spend on their wars against us and our allies? Does that make sense?” I told her the White House says it is a small price to pay to remove the Iranian government and its nuclear threat.

"It is all too complicated for me,” said Ms. Pigette.

“Now, old dog, I am starting to see TV ads for Maine Senate candidates. What gives?”she asked.
 Looks like the Maine event is turning into a political slugfest that might determine who controls the Senate.”

The Maine primary is set for June 9 but the Democratic candidates are already hammering each other and Republican Senator Susan Collins.

Gov. Janet Mills, 79, the pick of the national Democratic party leaders, slammed her challenger, Graham Platner, 41. Her ad highlighted questionable online comments he made years ago. That forced him on the defensive as he admitted he made them, explaining he no longer agrees with himself.

Platner, a combat Marine but political rookie, found out that politics ain’t bean bag. Mills may be a grandmother but she can still land a solid political punch. On the other side, Collins, 71, quietly smiles and touts her clout and ability to bring home the political bacon.

It is becoming a political heavyweight match. The Democrats fighting each other, as both try to knock the GOP. It is also the old national guard, against upstart outsiders, the old battling the young.

“I wonder,” said Ms. P. "Will the young rookie challenger dare to attack the popular smiling grandmother/governor? Isn’t that a move that could easily backfire?”

Good question…