I still miss full-service gas stations.

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Yes, I know. Some of you younger ''whippersnappers'' don't remember full-service gas stations at all, as you weren't born yet. I get it...but they were great. When you needed gas, you drove in to a pump. A fellow would hustle over to your car window, and you would tell him what you needed, from a ''fill 'er up'' to ''give me the works''--the works usually being, fill the gas tank, wash the windshield (and often ALL the windows) check the oil, and also check all the tires for proper pressure, adding oil and air if needed. There was no extra charge for these services, with the exception being if they attendant had to add oil. You paid, and used cash--and then you drove off. You never got out of your car, they did it all. Of course, this is something that's been gone for years. New Jersey is the only state here that it's a law to have your gas pumped, and one lone town, Huntington NY, has a law that you cannot pump your own gas. Most of these full-service gas stations offered an in-house, attached garage. They worked on minor issues if needed, changed out tires, did oil changes, and helped people who were on the road and had a problem. In other words, it was all in one spot. You could usually grab a soda or a coffee, and they had candy to buy if you needed a sugar boost. The gas shortages of the '70's, rising labor costs, etc. led to self-service. As cars no longer needed constant checking, like oil or radiator checks, etc. By no longer having attendants, they were trying to keep overhead costs down. People didn't seem to mind self-service, and now of course it's the way it is pretty much everywhere with the exception of one state, and one single town. People had their favorite gas stations, their favorite attendants, etc. and gas station owners took pride in their gas stations. Mothers with small children didn't have to get out of the car, elderly counted on this service, and the best part of it was, no matter what the weather--extreme heat or cold, ice, rain, blizzard...you just sat and they did their job, you paid and you were done. I do appreciate a lot of things that now save us work, time, and avoiding bad weather. But gas stations...I miss them. iStock picture of an old station in Wisconsin, once upon a time.