Every Cloud...Er wind has a silver lining

5 large grills filling the electric free air with the wafting aroma of steak, burgers, BBQ chicken, sausage, hamburgers and dogs....
Children laughing and playing, adults talking and relaxing, and EATING like there was no tomorrow.
From about 5pm to late into the night that was the scene here in the neighborhood. The meat from freezers that was about to be lost was lined up, seasoned, and slapped on charcoal and gas grills, before too long, what started off as a way to be able to keep the meat a little longer should the power not come back on, turned into a no-electric post hurricane winds, block party.
After the trees blocking the street were cleared, and the fireworks provided by the exploding transformers had banged its last bang, it was time to relax, and what the hell, there was no TVs with the exception of two small battery powered TVs, a battery powered radio.
What could have been a total disaster, at least in this neighborhood turned into something good. Connections were made, dialogs were started, and a few running problems were solved over paper plates full of steaks and hot dogs.
By the time the last chunk of cow came off the grill, and no one could possibly eat anymore, everyone was relaxed, and ready for bed. At least if nothing else, it knocked quite a few hours out of what was to be a long and VERY dark, and eerily quiet night. Some of the neighbors hung outside until about 2am or a little later, and when the sun came up, we were all back out there helping each other clean up.....
Its just a shame it took a storm like this to bring this neighborhood back together, but at least it happened....