Post cyclone Sandy

     I stopped because I felt it was not the right mood.  Like a cold distant report so I'll try again.
     The thing about Tuesday, it began to feel real, like something terrible had happened.  It wasn't just the chilliness of the house; lack of power and media; it was the feeling that something had changed.  I went out for a drive into town.
     Negotiating the tree blocking half the street at the corner was no big deal.  Along the west bound street I traversed I saw trees uprooted.  Trees that Irene didn't get the previous summer.  It just felt terrible.  Few people out, no glares from televisions from windows.  There was simply no power.
     The main street of my town was void of life and light.  You know even the typical lights you see in the daytime, lets you know what's open.  I stopped in at the bakery.  They were open, I was shocked.  They had a Coleman thermos full of coffee.  People milled in and out.  Sign on it said no free refills, I would learn later it was because of 1 customer.  The baked goods were going.  The owners didn't even have power in their own homes.  I had a cruller and heard some stories. 
     My town was hit hard power wise, not so much damage and flooding that took place on the south shore.  On the north shore however, we were one of the hardest hit.  I drove past darkened store fronts.  Down wires, poles and trees.  Southward parts of the road were impassable.  At 1 point, what was I thinking, I turned off to veer around.  Roads were littered with trees and debris.  Homeowners and neighbors standing thinking, some cleaning.  I started feeling like a voyeur and headed for home.
     I took stock of my situation.  I realized then the severity.  No power, food goes bad.  My brother in law and sister had pulled money from atm's, I had not.  How was I going to get money?  And gas.  Off hand within a few miles there are approximately 4-5 gas stations, all without power.  I began taking in the severity of the situation.