There's a particular kind of neighborhood wisdom that only comes from a $25 letter in the mailbox. Mine arrived last spring, informing me that my beloved stainless steel BBQ grill, parked innocently on the side of the house for years, had officially been declared "unsightly" by the powers that be. Twenty five dollars for a grill that I kept so clean you could see your reflection in it. But rules are rules, and in our little corner of the world, even a grill has to mind its manners. So the grill moved into the garage, tucked next to the lawn mower and a half finished birdhouse project. Now every time the mood strikes for burgers or brisket, I wheel that shining beauty out of the garage and straight down to the middle of the driveway. Dead center, where the afternoon sun catches the steel just right and every passing dog walker gets a glimpse of what grilling looks like. It's become something of a performance, tongs in hand, apron on, grill parked like it's the star of a parade. When the last burger comes off the grates, back it goes into the garage, quiet and tucked away, until the next show. There's something satisfying about following a rule to the letter while still getting what you want. The HOA said the grill couldn't live on the side of the house looking unsightly. Fair enough. They never said a word about driveway performances. My neighbors have started timing their evening walks around my grilling schedule, and I don't blame them. A little stainless steel sparkle in the golden hour is good for everyone's soul. My grill may have lost its permanent spot by the house, but it gained a driveway stage and a devoted little audience of passersby. That's a trade I'm happy to make.