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Pretend you are visiting a buffet at your favorite restaurant as this week’s column features numerous items to please your mental palate.

For an appetizer, I’m in search of why my timing is so bad when it comes to buying gas for my vehicle. It seems like every time I’m ready for a fill-up, the price at the pump is higher than the day before.

Case in point was Tuesday of last week. On Monday, the price here in Ahoskie was $3.22 per gallon. I had a little less than a half of a tank that day, so I opted to wait until Tuesday (payday here at the News-Herald) to fill up.

Low and behold, the price increased to $3.59 on Tuesday, but in fear of it going any higher, I decided to make my purchase.

As my luck would have it, the price declined to $3.49 on Wednesday and then dropped another 10 cents to $3.39 the next day.

Meanwhile, I’m not buying into the political propaganda that inflation is easing. If that’s the case, then why am I spending the same, or even more, for items I purchase on a regular basis?

As an example, every month or so I replace the water filter for my coffeemaker at home. Prior to the COVID pandemic, the price of that item was $4.99. Due to supply chain “issues”, that price soared to $8.99 during the pandemic, and then to $9.99 just after the virus no longer ruled the headlines.

So, if I’m to believe that inflation is easing, then why did I pay $10.99 for the same exact item at the same exact location last week?

On the other hand, you don’t need to “filter” through a list of events to find that Ahoskie has a lot to offer.

This past weekend alone, there was a country music concert, a bicycle ride to benefit the fight against colon cancer, a disc golf tournament, and a softball tournament….all at the Ahoskie Creek Recreational Park.

The concert was a benefit to help defray the medical costs of a local man, Tyler Hoggard, who was severely injured in an auto accident.

The bike ride was held in memory of the late Dexter Davis who died last year of colon cancer. Davis, the son of Earline Davis and the late DuPont Davis, was a standout football and basketball player at Ahoskie High School back in the 1980s. Riders came from all across North Carolina to participate in the event.

And if you are looking for something fun to do in Ahoskie this coming weekend, be sure to visit the Gallery Theatre on Main Street on Saturday night (Sept. 23) for the Community Talent Championship. Eight individuals will compete for the first place trophy. Admission is only $10 for adults ($5 for children). The doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m.

On tap in Ahoskie next month is the 2023 Fall Fling, scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 14. That all-day event features a 5K run, a fine arts show, a car show, activities for kids and teens, a comedy show, food trucks and other vendors, all set up along Main Street.

The Town of Ahoskie and The Gathering Place are hosting Fall Fling in hopes of attracting quality performers, craft / food vendors, artists, and large numbers of visitors into the heart of Main Street.

Switching gears to sports, does anybody know what’s up down in ‘Bama? The Crimson Tide – a six-time national champion since 2009 – are out of the top 10 for the first time since Sept. 27, 2015. And that came after a win this past Saturday…so that should tell you that those who vote on such things aren’t convinced that ‘Bama is the ‘Bama of old.

They struggled to beat South Florida, 17-7, on Saturday, marking the first time since 2007 that the Tide failed to beat a non-Power Five opponent by at least 40 points.

That sloppy win dropped Alabama (2-1 overall) to #13 in the national polls, snapping a streak of 128 weeks that the Tide was in the national top 10.

Up in heaven, Paul “Bear” Bryant is none too pleased.

While on the subject of college football, I’m hopeful that someone out there is keeping a close eye on Keveon Rodgers. The HCHS senior quarterback is a “generational talent” – meaning gifted players like him come around every 20 years or so at one school.

Rodgers, who can make accurate throws when he’s flushed from the pocket as well as being a runner who doesn’t fear contact, can play at the next level, and perhaps even beyond if he finds the right college program that can further develop his skills.

And you don’t have to be a muscular, fine-tuned athlete to show off your skills. Even those of us who have been around long enough to see the Earth take 70 trips around the Sun can brag of developing a number of skills.

In my case, I’ve learned not to follow someone who cannot lead and never try to lead someone who cannot follow.

I’ve learned never to test the depth of water with both feet.

If you think nobody cares that you’re alive, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.

You can’t learn much when your mouth is moving.

If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.

It’s far more impressive when others discover your good qualities without your help.

Always remember that you are unique, just like everyone else.

I’m fully aware that there’s nothing left to learn the hard way.

My joints are becoming more accurate than the TV weatherman.

Kidnappers have no interest in me.

And lastly, nowadays when you talk about good grass, it’s a reference to your neighbor’s beautiful lawn.

Cal Bryant is Editor of Roanoke-Chowan Publications. Contact him at cal.bryant@r-cnews.com or 252-332-7207.