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REBECCA CATALANELLOThe improvised lifestyle many people endured is quickly forgotten as electricity is restored.
HUDSON - Billy Caterino, 49, was in heaven Wednesday afternoon and all it took was a stereo, a recliner and a little cool air.
After five days of bathing with a damp washcloth, flushing the toilet with whole milk, mediating clashes between four daughters and grilling $130 of meat on a Bunsen burner, the single father was enjoying his newly air-conditioned mobile home by blaring Air Supply and lounging in his La-Z-Boy.
"I survived," said Caterino, one of the more than 23,000 people in Pasco County who was still without power for part of Wednesday. Like many, he stopped by Veterans Memorial Park to pick up ice from an emergency distribution center about 3 p.m.
There, county officials were handing out cases of water, dry-packed food and bags of ice. They were providing showers and hot meals.
Power and water went out in Caterino's trailer on Bachmann Avenue about 10:30 a.m. Saturday and went back on by 5 p.m. Wednesday, Caterino said. But Caterino said the inconvenience was no sweat - even though he was dripping with it. The Navy veteran of the Vietnam War just resorted to the practical decision-making required under war conditions.
When the milk began to sour and the toilet began to fill, he used the two gallons of Winn-Dixie brand milk to flush the toilet. When the food he bought on Friday began to go bad on Saturday, he borrowed a single burner and began grilling.
What he didn't have in Vietnam, though, were four restless daughters, ages 18, 16, 14 and 11.
They were grossed out by the sponge baths. And, according to dad, spent a great part of the down time getting along. Or not. "They were so bored, they were driving each other crazy," Caterino said.
Many of the Hudson area residents who were seeking emergency help on Wednesday said power company officials had told them to expect restoration by today.
Ronda Sizemore, 43, of Hudson and mother-in-law Pat Sizemore, 64, drove up to the emergency handout seeking ice and water, but were most excited about the prospect of a shower.
Their power had been out since Sunday and the charm ended long ago: "We just took two refrigerators and one freezer worth of food to the dump and cried as we went," Pat Sizemore said as county workers filled their trunk with cases of water.
They were expecting restoration by today, but they at least wanted to make another deadline.
"If we don't get electricity before Ivan hits," Ronda trailed off and shook her head. "I don't see it happening."