METAMORPHOSIS: Building the Dome of a Home

Table of Contents
1 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................................... 2
2 HURRICANE IVAN Surviving the Storm of the Century ....................................................................................................... 5
3 Mother Nature's Influence in My Life ............................................................................................................................... 17
4 HUMBLE BEGINNINGS ....................................................................................................................................................... 23
5 POLITICS ............................................................................................................................................................................ 26
6 METAMORPHOSIS ............................................................................................................................................................. 29
7 SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN ................................................................................................................................ 33
8 "Z" IS FOR ARCHITECT AND ARTIST ................................................................................................................................... 34
9 SERENITY BY THE SEA ........................................................................................................................................................ 40
10 TO HURRICANE HELL AND BACK ..................................................................................................................................... 43
11 WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED .............................................................................................................................................. 56
12 THINGS R CHANGING ...................................................................................................................................................... 74
13 MEDIA MADNESS ............................................................................................................................................................ 76
14 THE THUNDER ROLLS ...................................................................................................................................................... 83
Copyright © 2011 by Mark and Valerie Sigler
All Rights Reserved.
http://domeofahome.com
1

1 INTRODUCTION
When Mark and I were contemplating a move to Pensacola Beach, Florida, I was very concerned
about hurricanes. After asking the locals about storms, I was reassured when I heard repeatedly
that "they hadn't had a storm in years, nothing to worry about, ma'am."
Gathering our hopes and dreams in 1994, we moved from Kansas City to Pensacola Beach. The
home we bought needed to be gutted and completely remodeled. With great energy, we
immersed ourselves into our new project. Four months later, our home was remodeled and we
settled in.
One month later,
Tropical Storm Alberto
became the first of nine
storms we have
experienced in the past
eleven years.
Eighteen months after
moving into the house,
in August 1995,
Hurricane Erin removed
a large portion of our 12
on 12 pitch roof. Most
roofers never returned
our call and if they did I
was told, "There are
other, easier roofs to
repair and replace, why
take the chance?" So,
when Hurricane Opal
slammed into Pensacola Beach only 10 weeks later, we still had a gaping hole in our roof: a
double slam that left us in shocked dismay.
Slowly, as the residents began to replace their homes, we watched with concern as structures
were built quickly and seemingly without thought to how they would weather the next big storm.
Mark began pointing out the various aspects of the new homes that would fail in another
hurricane. Frequently, he would say, "If I were building a new home, I would … " His web surfing
ability served him well as he began researching better ways to build structures on a beach.
Our decision to build a dome home was more involved that simply building a new structure to live
in. When Mark and I visited Malta a few years ago and saw the centuries-old structures, Mark
became more determined than ever to build a structure that would withstand the test of time.
Malta is a country whose homes are used for several generations and their beautifully painted
transportation busses date from the 1950s. Malta‟s generational use of their resources were a
quite a contrast to our disposable society.
Malta‟s structures inspired Mark‟s search for a building that could withstand the test of time.
Mark also had a visionary desire to share the knowledge he acquired through his research with
the public and policy makers. Through the web site, various media exposure, and tours of the
dome, we hoped to stimulate an awareness of building alternatives within the coastal
communities. Our mission statement reflects this desire:
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Our mission is to help reduce the suffering associated with the destruction and loss of one's
home in a natural disaster. We want to help promote awareness of the superior building
technologies that can alleviate unnecessary losses. Many of the new technologies are more
energy efficient and environmentally friendly than their predecessors, thus allowing the
construction of structures while also protecting and preserving the delicate balance of nature.
In the six years since we wrote this mission statement, many hurricanes have devastated the Gulf
Coast. The Dome of a Home withstood these storms admirably, receiving no structural damage.
We have had numerous guests from the affected areas visit to discuss the attributes of building a
dome structure in the danger zone. The Dome of a Home allows them to actually see a dome
that has looked into the face of Mother Nature's fury and survived.
The Dome of a Home's notoriety soared during Hurricane Ivan's reign upon the Gulf. Three days
before landfall, the Travel Channel aired an AMAZING VACATION HOMES episode featuring the
Dome of a Home. Days later, the Dome of a Home is making global news because she is facing
"the Storm of the Century" and is the safe haven in which the MSNBC news crew has chosen to
weather the storm.
In our original mission
statement we wanted to
promote awareness of
superior building
technologies. This has
happened beyond our
wildest expectations --
the silver lining behind
Ivan, the Terrible's
storm clouds.
succumbs to chaos.
3
Only days ago,
Hurricane Katrina
changed the world
when she burst on
shore bearing 145 mph
sustained winds and
storm surges of historic
heights.
We begin this book as
New Orleans literally
sinks under water and
We were in Montana at the time and could only watch in helpless horror as our neighbors to the
West of us lost their lives; their neighborhoods; their livelihoods; and their possessions --- the
items that represented the history of their lives. Now, it appears that even more lives will be lost
due to the complete breakdown of civilization.
The harsh reality that life as you know it can be completely erased in a matter of hours grieves
me; that society can erode into chaos so quickly terrifies me; that our governing bodies can be
overwhelmed so completely worries me; but, what frightens me most is the thought that we, as a
population, go back to 'business as usual' without embracing the opportunity to alter and change
our world in a positive way. What can we do differently to minimize the human suffering in a
situation like this? How do we build structures that are less vulnerable to the storm and leave
less debris in the aftermath?
Three weeks have passed since Katrina terrorized the Gulf Coast and caused over 1000 deaths.
The testament to lessons learned can be seen as Hurricane Rita stalks the Gulf Coast less than a

month later. As I write this, she is a Category 5, with 175 mph winds, and an expected 50' storm
surge. Although landfall is tentatively three days away, massive mandatory evacuations have
begun along the Texas and Louisiana coast. Nursing homes and hospitals have moved what
patients they can. Busses are lined up and ready to move those needing transportation. I am
encouraged that so many factors and issues have been addressed in the last three weeks, but
problems are still arising. Traffic is gridlocked for over 100 miles in the Houston area and a
gasoline shortage already exists. My daughter in San Marcos, a couple of hours from Houston,
said store shelves are empty of supplies. Her classmate's family drove 17 hours to make the trip
from Houston – less than a three hour drive under normal circumstances.
These are storms beyond comprehension! In the Gulf alone, there have been four major
hurricanes over a Category 3 in one year: Hurricane Ivan, 2004; Hurricane Dennis, 2005;
Hurricane Katrina, 2005; Hurricane Rita, 2005. This excludes 2004's Tropical Storm Bonnie,
Hurricane Charlie, Hurricane Frances, and Hurricane Jeanne and 2005's Tropical Storm Arlene.
If a disaster movie portrayed the events of the last 12 months as they occurred on the Gulf Coast,
it would be dismissed as over the top; too unbelievable.
And, yet, it is the somber reality.
It is now seventeen months since Hurricane Katrina slammed ashore. Four – I repeat – only four
building permits have been issued in the hard hit Ninth Ward of New Orleans.
What are the solutions? How can we minimize the damage and loss of life? How can we learn to
live with Mother Nature instead of denying and ignoring her effects on our lives?
How do we learn to Build in the Danger Zone(s)?
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2 HURRICANE IVAN
Surviving the Storm of the Century
"WHAT?!" We can't evacuate now, the island has been under water for hours."
Kerry Sanders, the NBC news cameraman riding out Hurricane Ivan with me in the Dome of a
Home had just handed me his phone. The urgent voice of Roland Steadham, the chief
meteorologist with WTVJ TV in Miami is on the other end. Trepidation grips my heart as he
explains water over 40 feet high is expected to inundate us as the storm arrives. Swallowing the
lump in my throat, I ask him if this storm is more than twice as strong as Hurricane Opal in 1995.
His negative reply provides enough relief for me to catch my breath and think. I ask if we could
examine the wave and surge action more closely.
Mr. Steadham gathers his GPS information, tidal documents, and the latest satellite information to
determine more accurately the amount of water surging towards 1005 Ariola Drive. Calculating
our coordinates from my address, he scrutinizes the data and revises his prediction to twenty to
twenty-five feet of water at our exact address.
"Twenty feet of water - that we can handle in the Dome," I reply as my pounding heart begins to
slow to a rapid staccato. We had two floors, plus a loft area to elevate ourselves above any water
flooding the first floor. Drowning was not a prospect we would face with twenty-five feet of water.
The dome weighs over 850 tons, so I was concerned the Dome of a Home might sink in the fluid
sand. But I was confident the Dome would not be floating away like an unanchored boat.
After spending years planning and building the Dome of a Home, I was in Montana for a much
needed vacation. I was miles away enjoying the mountain air, counting shooting stars in the night
sky, and hiking mountain trails. Hurricanes and building projects were far removed from my
reverie of the Big Sky country. And then the litany of hurricanes hitting Florida interrupted my
peaceful interlude. I told my wife, Valerie, not to worry about Bonnie, Charley, or Frances.
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But, when Ivan formed near the Cape Verde Islands, off the coast of Africa, on September 2,
2004, a pit of dread settled in my stomach. I knew it was a contender, an angel of destruction.
Ivan would prove to be the strongest hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season.
Hurricane Ivan was an immense storm over 500 miles across that had, on a couple of occasions,
reached a Category 5 on the Safir-Simpson scale. In its destructive lifetime, Ivan had increased
from a Category 1 to a Category 4 in just a mere sixteen hours.
The wind above the hurricane that keeps the storm from recycling back into itself was
non-existent. Without air flow over the center of the storm to tear it apart, Ivan continued to
strengthen. Ivan had already devoured Granada and had the states along the Gulf warily eyeing
his progress. Even though forecasters could not predict exactly where the eye was headed,
Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana were all on alert. But, I knew instinctively that this
monster had our name on it. I told my wife, “This is the one to worry about.” Although it doesn't
happen very often, sometimes, I hate to be right. This time I prayed I was wrong.
As Hurricane Ivan continued to build in the Gulf of Mexico, I received numerous requests from TV
and radio stations for interviews to discuss the Dome of a Home‟s hurricane resistant construction
features. When the idea of building a dome on the beach was conceived, our mission was “to
help reduce the suffering associated with the destruction and loss of one's home in a natural
disaster by promoting awareness of the superior building technologies that can alleviate
unnecessary losses.”
With Ivan approaching and the media calling, my wife and I decided that I would fly home for the
interviews and to prepare the house for the impending arrival of Hurricane Ivan. This monster of
a storm was stalking the
Gulf and Pensacola
Beach was forecast to be
its prey. Because I
bought a one-way ticket
an hour before my
departure, I had to endure
endless scrutiny from
security. Repeatedly, I
explained that Hurricane
Ivan was taking aim at my
home on the beach and
that I needed to secure
my house. Not knowing
how extensive the
damage would be, I
wanted a one-way ticket.
I was one of two
passengers on the redeye
flight, but since the
9/11 tragedy security had been understandably increased. Finally, I was allowed to board. My
flight landed at 8 am and my first interview was at 9:30 am.
I had been on a sabbatical and had not seen the Dome for a couple of months. She was
beautiful; the landscaping had matured over the last several weeks under John Thomas' care.
After three years of planning and building with gallons of blood, sweat, and tears spilled, the
Dome of a Home was stunningly complete. The house had been designed to weather hurricanes
and now I was preparing for its first real test. I found it difficult to fathom that years of work could
literally be washed away in a matter of hours. I felt that the structure would survive, but I knew it
would not be in its current pristine condition once Hurricane Ivan unleashed his power.
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Fortunately, before I had left for Montana in May, the Travel Channel had filmed the Dome of a
Home for its new series, "Amazing Vacation Homes." Ironically, the episode aired 3 days before
Hurricane Ivan struck. I found solace in the fact that at least we would have a permanent record
of how the home had been.
The mood on the island was somber. Many of my neighbors were Hurricane Opal survivors; a
sickening déjà vu descended upon us as we prepared for the worst. We all prayed for a
weakening of this monster that had already been a Category 5 storm on a couple of occasions.
With the spirit of community that impending disaster fosters, we helped each other get ready for
the inevitable trauma. Even the clients renting the Dome of a Home pitched in to help. It‟s ironic
that the day preceding a hurricane strike is so stunningly beautiful. Clear skies, low humidity, and
a deceptively calm blue ocean make it difficult to comprehend that a monster lurks beyond the
horizon. I am grateful, though, that the weather cooperates, allowing us to maximize our ability to
organize and evacuate. To know that in 24 hours all hell will break loose when it appears to be
the most gorgeous day of the year is surreal.
Yet, with several storms in my hurricane preparation resume, I knew what needed to be done. I
picked up the yard; turned off the pumps to the swimming pool; stashed outdoor furniture in the
house; had the hot tub hauled to a friend's home; moved the outdoor kitchen to a safe place;
carried the garage refrigerator upstairs; and finally boarded up the doors and duct taped the
windows. Three days are needed to prepare my home properly for a storm of Ivan's magnitude.
Exhaustion, both emotional and physical, permeates every cell of my body. Already exhausted
and depleted, I knew that in a week‟s time I would be facing the aftermath of Ivan.
7
The news media descended on the
area en masse. Between
sandbagging and swearing, praying
and preparing, I passed out
business cards to the media. I
explained the hurricane resistant
qualities of the Dome of a Home. I
stress resistant because the media
insists on declaring that the Dome is
a hurricane proof home. Has
anyone ever heard of the Titanic? I
am not arrogant enough to ignore
my superstition that challenging
Mother Nature with a claim of a
„hurricane proof home‟ is asking for
trouble.
As I was putting things in order, news crews began arriving at the Dome. The day before, I had
been to the core area of the island and spoken to several members of the media. Evidently,
NBC's news correspondent, Kerry Sanders, had spent the previous evening on the internet
researching the strength of the monolithic dome structure. With the information Kerry gleaned off
the internet, he felt the Dome would weather the storm and be a safe place from which to make
his Hurricane Ivan reports. Since he wanted to see the Dome for himself I gave him a detailed
tour explaining the various features. Satisfied with its storm worthiness, he inquired about staying
in the Dome during Hurricane Ivan.
I had already decided to evacuate, but Kerry‟s request gave me the impetus to stay. I asked him
again and again if he was sure he understood what it meant to be stuck on a barrier island during
a storm. Even with a minimal storm, there is no power, sewer, or water. It's like a camping trip of
unknown duration. With the storm surge carrying sand over the island's streets, no one could
predict how long we would be stranded. And if the bridge to the island was destroyed, life would

e even more complicated. Not quite a Gilligan's Island situation, but these were serious factors
to contemplate.
I agreed to stay with the news crew after Kerry reassured me that they were not concerned about
their safety. He had just returned from Iraq and felt nothing could be as intense as bullets
whizzing by whispering his name. He and the news crews' attitude was basically, "Hey, no one is
shooting at us, this is a piece of cake." I was overwhelmed by their immense dedication to
deliver the news to us.
News crews risk their lives to bring us the stories we watch while lounging on our comfortable
couches. To share the world's events with the public, they repeatedly put themselves in harm's
way. I was humbled by their devotion and developed a new level of appreciation for them. Kerry
Sanders and many of the crew were Floridians. By September 16, 2004 Florida had felt the
effects of Tropical Storm Bonnie, Hurricane Charley, and Hurricane Frances. After Hurricane
Ivan, Florida was also struck by Hurricane Jeanne. Hurricanes can feel personal and Kerry
wanted a front row seat for this one.
With Ivan‟s impending arrival, the opportunity presented itself to share with a large audience the
alternative building strategies we had discovered for coastal living. How better to accomplish
widespread knowledge dispersion than through the news coverage of Hurricane Ivan making
landfall at the Dome of a Home's location? Our mission to promote the awareness of alternative
building strategies was being fulfilled beyond my wildest expectations. This was the silver lining of
Ivan‟s storm clouds.
Four vans hauling supplies with Kerry Sanders, Correspondent; and the NBC crew of AJ
Goodwin, Producer; Craig White,
Cameraman; and Chuck Stewart,
Sound Engineer, pulled up to the
Dome the afternoon before
Hurricane Ivan arrived in full force.
They were literally prepared for hell
or high water with enough food and
water for three weeks; medical
supplies; generators and fuel;
several forms of communication
including transmission dishes,
satellite phones, short wave radios,
and cell phones. And they had an
insane desire to experience the
Dome's hurricane resistant qualities
first hand. They partially unloaded
the vans and then parked them
between the buildings at the
Catholic Church – high ground for Pensacola Beach. But, not high enough. Ultimately, after
Hurricane Ivan abated, Craig and Chuck would row a boat to the drowning vans in the Sound to
retrieve the rest of their equipment.
Everyone chose a bedroom intent on getting a good night's rest before Ivan's landfall the
following day. We awoke to a beautiful day – as is typical of the day before a storm. Blue skies
with low humidity made preparations for the imminent arrival of Hurricane Ivan bearable.
Hurricane Ivan had slowed so we had more time than initially predicted. The NBC crew set up
their equipment while I duct taped the windows and vents. After I finished the last minute details,
I drove around the island to check on my neighbors' progress.
The tension was palpable; the mood was serious and somber. Those of us who survived
Hurricane Opal in 1995 were having flashbacks: weeks and possibly months before we could live
8

ack on the island in our homes; endless waiting for insurance checks to arrive; neighbors that
would never return; and the reawakened anxiety each and every time a tropical system entered
the Gulf.
By 10 am, the docks on the Sound side were under water. By noon, the wave action had
increased significantly, as had my apprehension. Reality was descending upon me – there was a
huge storm aimed at our beach and I was on the frontline. Had I made the right decision? What if
we had misjudged the dome's ability? What if I didn't make it? My first concern was for my family.
With my wife in Montana and my children inland, I knew they would be safe. But, I was beginning
to wonder if the same was true about the NBC crew and myself.
My wife, Valerie, was relieved that she would be able to watch me on TV and that we would be
able to communicate via the satellite phone. She was expecting an Opal event, so her concern
for my safety was minimal. After all, Opal damaged our ground level home, but did not destroy it
or wash it away. Only in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan did she freak out about the storm's
devastating strength. With a constant vigil on our web site's message board, she posted the
news she received from me and corresponded with concerned supporters.
Cell phones began to ring incessantly as Ivan drew nearer. My family and friends called to
express their love and their anger. I was most unnerved by the calls telling me goodbye – as in
the Big Goodbye.
About 4 pm I was examining the horizon, puzzled by the bizarre clouds I was seeing. One
second they were there and the next they were gone. Finally, I realized that I was seeing the
tops of massive waves being blown apart. The spray almost looked like birds fleeing. Soon after
this observation, the road was breached by the storm surge. By 6 pm, our fate was sealed; our
destiny was to ride out Hurricane Ivan in the Dome of a Home.
During storms, to preserve the elevator car, we bring it to level 3 of the house and open the door
to prevent it from dropping to the garage level when we lose power. The first wave washed
through the garage just as we were riding the elevator up. Timing is everything!
The hours my daughter, Jenifer, and I spent sandbagging the driveways to protect the garage
and pool were erased by the first major wave. Those sandbags might as well have been made of
Styrofoam. In one wave, the sandbags were blown from my driveway through the garage and
into the swimming pool. That was a lesson in futility. Never again would I waste my time with
sandbags. By storm‟s end, I needed an archeologist to find my swimming pool.
Even as the storm‟s intensity grew, I did not realize how dramatically the NE to SW wind had
increased because the Dome does not have any windows that are affected by wind coming from
that direction. The wind meter clocked 110 mph, but then quit because the rain became too
heavy for it to function. The NBC crew sent live feeds to the four other crew members stationed
in Gulf Breeze. I finally had the opportunity to meet this half of the crew after 2005‟s Hurricane
Dennis landed in our area. During the broadcasts, we explained the Dome of a Home's features
and how they were intended to mitigate storm damage. I found it extremely disconcerting to
watch the hurricane coverage on TV and be able to see the actual event occurring
simultaneously.
Keith Olberman and Joe Scarborough both commented on their TV programs that a mad man
and a NBC news crew were weathering the storm literally on the front lines. Even though I felt
disconnected from their rhetoric, I did become increasingly concerned that I had doomed myself
and the wonderful people with me to death on national TV.
By 8 pm, the waves were pounding steadily and the action was increasing enough that I became
gravely concerned about my compatriots in this adventure. The adventure had morphed into a
responsibility that burdened my heart.
9

Then the phone call of dire warnings came from Ronald Steadham, the meteorologist in Miami. I
knew then that I would never decide to ride out a major hurricane again, the responsibility is more
than I care to bear.
By 9:30 pm, the storm was raging outside with winds so furious the rain came down in horizontal
sheets. Lightning flashes allowed us glimpses of the storm's fury, but the darkness was so
enveloping that not even our Q-beam flashlight would penetrate the oppressive atmosphere.
After our last broadcast at 10:00 pm, the NBC crew in Gulf Breeze went back to their hotel,
unaware that the satellite truck in Gulf Breeze would soon be ripped apart by Ivan's rage. I was
relieved to realize the house was not shuddering or shaking, so we all decided to go to sleep as
well.
Before retiring for the evening, we shined a light down the elevator shaft and were greeted with
five feet of rising water. I was certain then that this was not a Hurricane Opal sized event, this
was so much more. Initially, my wife was not concerned for my safety because Opal was a
Category 3 and Ivan was also coming in as a Category 3. Definitely not the same caliber or
hurricane - not at all. I think the Category ratings for hurricanes do not account for all of the
variables accurately enough. Certainly, the ratings are helpful, but wind speed alone does not tell
the story. In my humble opinion, the storm surge created by the size of the storm and the length
of its life churning in the water seems to have as much of an impact as the wind speed, if not
more.
We turned off the generator and in the sudden silence we heard dripping water. We looked at
each other in amazement. Upon investigation, we discovered the duct tape I had placed over the
exhaust fan in the Queen's suite bathroom had blown off in the gusting winds. The single
droplets of water were easily managed with a bucket. Even with Ivan's furious wrath outside, it
was so quiet in the Dome that we were speaking in normal voice levels. In a moment of
epiphany, we grasped the significance of the Dome's strength and substance. With the exception
of the power outage, life seemed normal inside the Dome. Secure in our concrete haven, we all
went to catch some shut eye before the morning's activities began in earnest.
Hurricane Ivan slowed from a Category 5 to a Category 3 as its eye made landfall over Gulf
Shores, Alabama. But, because Pensacola, Florida was on the east side of the storm, it bore the
brunt of the attack. Even though the wind speed slowed at the last minute, the tremendous wall
of water being pushed by the storm did not dissipate.
While Ivan raged, we slept.
The earplugs I thought would help me sleep only served to make me aware of my hammering
heart. Like the rushing water of a stream, my heartbeat resounded in my head. Trying to slow
my pounding heart, I began meditative breathing. Eventually, as my breathing steadied, my heart
slowed and I drifted off to sleep. Just as dreamland was becoming my reality, I heard a grinding
noise that jolted me awake. My immediate thought was that the house was being ripped apart.
Yet, I didn't feel any shaking or shuddering. I sat up, removed the earplugs, and was confused
when I realized the sound was coming from the master closet behind me. I peeked inside. Craig
was the culprit, passed out and snoring on the floor. He had chosen the "safe room" of the house
and must have felt plenty safe enough sink into a very deep sleep.
I returned to my bed, laughing and relieved. I thought, "Well, if I can hear single drops of water
and someone snoring, we are probably going to be all right." I slept the exhausted sleep of a
dead man. For a little while. I was dreaming of sirens and hurricanes and the house being
shaken apart. I jolted out of my hypnagogic dream state when I realized I was hearing sirens and
I did feel the earth shaking. "Oh, my god! The house is coming apart." was my first thought.
Then, I saw AJ at the bottom of the bed trying to wake me up by shaking my feet.
The smoke alarms were shrilling because the power was off and the battery back-ups were
almost depleted. I got up and removed the smoke alarms. They had served as a wake-up alarm
10

for the entire house, so we all started stumbling about. In a bizarre way, it reminded me of
Christmas: everyone was up early with eager anticipation to see what surprises awaited upon
sunrise.
The scenes that unfolded were difficult to comprehend. Houses were completely gone or
destroyed beyond recognition. The Dome's front and back stairs were gone. We were awestruck
by the immensity of the damage. It was incredible and literally unbelievable. In a matter of hours,
the landscape was irrevocably changed.
After the initial perusal from my deck, I needed to lie back down for a little while. We had made it.
The rest could wait. I needed more sleep. I went back to bed and heard a light tapping. What
now? On one of the inside windows of the house that looks into the downstairs, my wife had
placed a stained glass decoration. It was ever so slightly tapping the window.
The house was moving and rocking so imperceptibly I could not physically feel it, but the reality
was that it was moving. My initial thought was that the house was sitting in six to eight feet of
quicksand. I confirmed this conclusion later when we found our landscaping bricks eight feet
down in the sand. Had the house tilted? Would I find the Dome of a Home standing at an angle
when I went outside?
There were no stairs down from the Dome of a Home anymore and the elevator was inoperable.
All that preparation and I had forgotten a ladder! Oops! Our hero, Craig, shimmied down the
power pole and found a homeless ladder. We donned sand goggles to protect our eyes from the
blinding sand, still being driven at tropical storm speeds across the island. The ground was
soupy with several patches of quicksand waiting to devour you as it sucked you down to your
knees. Water was still coursing across the island with great force. Yet, the NBC crew pursued
filming the neighborhood's damage.
11

Like a desert mirage, we saw a young man loaded with equipment stumbling in our direction.
Another survivor! We thought we were the only ones on the beach and here is another human. I
felt like Robinson Crusoe; unexplained joy filled my soul to see another person in the wasteland
that was our beach – alive and seemingly well. Mike Theiss, an independent, free lance storm
chaser had ridden out the storm in the Portofino Condominium parking garage. I cannot imagine.
We helped him with his equipment and brought him to the Dome‟s Survivor Camp. I have seen
Mike‟s raw footage of Ivan and am amazed that he is mentally stable after that experience. In his
film footage, the water is rising rapidly, the wind is howling relentlessly, and all he has for
protection is his car in the garage. I heard from Mike after Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf coast
in August 2005. His front row seat in Gulfport, MS was the only building left standing after the
storm. He said it was intimidating enough for him to question the wisdom of storm chasing a
monster like Katrina. But, at least, his storm footage will be a valuable tool in learning more about
catastrophic hurricanes. After a morning of filming, it was time to get NBC's film footage off the
island for national broadcast.
Little, petite AJ volunteered to run the film off the island. She was bent at a ninety degree angle
to offset the wind's buffeting. She knew this would be a one way ticket off the island, but she
knew that the show must go on. Have I mentioned how much I admire the crew‟s dedication? I
went as far as the bridge with her, then I branched off to go to the west end of Pensacola Beach,
past Peg Leg Pete's.
I trudged through the sand, water, and debris for five hours to survey the damage further down
the beach. I knew that my neighbors and friends would be hungry for information. Not knowing
about your home is the most torturous part of the storm's aftermath. I wanted to be able to report
as much as possible to the friends who called. Boats were in homes, swimming pools, and in
the middle of the roads. Many times I was overwhelmed with emotion as I realized that it would
be a very long time before the island recovered from Ivan. Later, while giving the mayor a tour
through the Dome, he commented
that he expected it would take eight
to ten years to fully recover.
I saw about ten other residents that
had elected to stay; but, I saw
absolutely no one from the outside
world. Helicopters flew overhead,
but ours were the only footprints on
the newly swept beach. Slowly,
survivors began to emerge. At the
end of our exhausting day, we used
the water from the hot tub to take a
"shower" and settled down for a
gourmet meal. Before the storm, my
neighbors asked me to empty out
their refrigerators if the power was
off. As a result we had steaks,
lobster, liquor, and cigars to celebrate our survival of Ivan, the Terrible.
Underneath the majestic Milky Way and brilliant stars, I imagined what it was like to be on the
beach centuries ago, before light pollution and tall buildings obscured the panoramic vista.
Again, I was filled with emotion in the serene aftermath of Ivan. I slept well and gratefully, did not
dream.
The next day, we began seeing troops and National Guardsmen on quad runners. Several of the
area bridges were severely damaged, so their supplies were delayed.
12

They slept in the parking lot of the core area under the stars. Once they discovered the Dome of
a Home had supplies, we became central station for a little while. We had medical supplies,
water, and food. My neighbor, George, had 350 pounds of fish he donated to the troops and
police for a fish fry. News from the mainland let us know we were in a much better situation than
most. AJ called from Pensacola and told us they didn't have water, food, or shelter. The hotel
had been compromised in the storm and there were long lines for supplies. We took her advice
and stayed sequestered in the Dome.
We did go on a search for NBC‟s rental vehicles that had been parked between the buildings of
the Catholic Church. Not until the waters began receding did we finally see the back ends of the
cars peeking out of the Sound. The crew found a canoe, paddled out to the cars, and dove under
the water to retrieve their water-proof equipment. They had recently arrived from Iraq and their
sand-proofed, water-proofed gear was in absolutely fine condition. If only we could encapsulate
our homes…..
While the NBC crew were diving in the Sound, they saw a Kansas license plate of seven sevens-
7777777. I had told them I was from Kansas, so they brought it to me. It was mine!!! I had
purchased it over twenty years ago and was thrilled to have the memento returned. Sometimes
it‟s the small things that mean the most. Treasured more than ever, I now use the keepsake as
my front license plate.
Since we had the medical supplies, the troops brought an injured man, Tom Brandon, to us. He
had quite a bump on his forehead and appeared exhausted. Kerry Sanders, NBC correspondent,
asked Tom if he would mind being interviewed after a short rest. SPLASH!, Northwest Florida's
Entertainment Magazine carried an article written by Fran Thompson detailing Tom's experience
in their November 2004 issue. What follows is the article in its entirety.
Beach Resident Pulls 'Woolybooger' to Survive
Fran Thompson
An old rugby pal and fellow Breezer, Dougie Dassinger, recently told me a "survival" story about
sixty-five year old Tom Brandon, United States Naval Academy Class of '62, who swam across
the Santa Rosa Sound shortly after Hurricane Ivan.
Tom and family rode out the storm in Gulf Breeze at his son Mike's home, and on Friday after the
storm, Tom told his wife, Wendy, that he was going for a bike ride. Around 10 am, he left his bike
to attempt to get a glance at his property on Pensacola Beach, hoping to see it from the Live Oak
National Seashore in Gulf Breeze.
After finding personal belongings, including a red aluminum boat that had been in his garage,
washed up on the north shore of Santa Rosa Sound, Tom decided to try to get a closer look at his
property.
It was a pretty day, and the water was calm despite all the debris, and I was almost opposite our
house," Tom said. "I thought about taking the boat to the beach, but the Marine Patrol was all
over and I was afraid they would see me. So, I found a life preserver, tied my sneakers around
my neck and swam across."
Two hours later, after dogging the Coast Guard, Tom was on the Island headed for his
homestead.
He discovered what he expected to find. That their beach home – like many others – was a total
loss. He also checked on a few neighbors' homes while he was there.
"The only thing I could find to write notes about my neighbors' homes was a paper plate," Tom
said.
13

Tom said he really didn't want to swim back to Gulf Breeze. So, he started walking up to Via De
Luna Dr.
Once on Pensacola Beach's main street, Tom was quickly spotted from the air by an Escambia
County Sheriff's Department helicopter.
The National Guard and Sheriff's Department found him and made the assumption they had a
hurricane survivor. Tom, not wanting to disappoint his rescue team or face incarceration, agreed
enthusiastically and asked for a ride back to the mainland.
He was taken to the Dome Home, Pensacola Beach's hurricane-proof house built partly with a
federal grant, which was being utilized as Police Headquarters at the time, where he was given
minor medical treatment for sunburn and dehydration.
Next was the phone call to his family.
Tom, in front of authorities and still fearful of incarceration, called his wife, who was not aware of
her husband's activities that day, and told her he was at the beach, but without food and water.
Wendy said, "what are you talking about you SOB, I just fed you four hours ago."
At that point, Tom put Mark Sigler, owner of the Dome Home on the phone with Wendy.
Wendy was still convinced Tom had been somewhere pounding beers all day. "No, Ma'am, he's
not drunk," (Mark) assured Wendy. "Just a little shell-shocked and sunburnt."
After getting off the phone, the Dome Home owner asked Tom how long he had been married.
"Forty-one years" was the reply.
The man shook his head and said: "I think I now understand why you spent the hurricane by
yourself on the beach."
An NBC crew working from the house asked to interview Tom, but lucky for him, the crew was
called away to interview Florida Attorney General Charley Crist first. Given the chance to slip out,
Tom hitched a ride in the back of a National Guard Humvee across the Bob Sikes Bridge to Gulf
Breeze.
The story spread like a wild fire through the close knit community, some rumors labeling him a
miraculous survivor, others calling him things a little less complimentary.
But Wendy was harder to convince.
"If I hadn't had my notes on the paper plate to show her, Wendy would still be mad at me," Tom
said.
Charlie Crist, Florida‟s Attorney General and future Governor of Florida, had arrived with
Congressman Jeff Miller to provide a way off the island for the remaining NBC crew. Kerry,
Craig, and Chuck respectfully declined the offer, saying they would like to stay in the peace and
quiet of the Dome another day. We had ribs on the grill, wine in the fridge, and hungry stomachs
growling. Having only had MRE meals since Ivan‟s arrival, Mr. Crist was happy to accept our
offer of grilled treats. After a satisfying meal, I gave Mr. Crist a tour of the Dome. I was
impressed with Mr. Crist‟s willingness to listen to my explanation of the various features found in
the Dome of a Home. He took the time to understand why this home was more hurricane
14

esistant than its conventional neighbors. I feel that he was impacted by the devastation he saw
and will use the knowledge gleaned if a hurricane strikes our shores again. As governor, Mr.
Crist is already improving negotiations between insurer and insured. In a world of politicians, he
is a rare gem of a man.
Gary Cole was an actual hurricane survivor that also made his way to the Dome of a Home.
Having spent almost forty years at the beach, Gary was a local that was familiar with storms.
He had stayed for every hurricane since moving to the beach four days after high school. So,
deciding to stay for Hurricane Ivan was business as usual. Gary's home was a ground level
cinder block house located on Via de Luna, the main street running through the center of the
island. He was approximately three blocks from the Gulf and also, the Sound.
Hurricane Ivan greeted the island with a tremendous storm surge that devoured Gary's home
around him. Refrigerators, huge chunks of concrete, and houses were swept along in a river of
ocean water and debris. As his home disintegrated around him, Gary had to cross this rushing
river of death to reach his neighbor's home. Fortunately, Deb Friedman's home is on pilings and
her stairs had not been swept away. Gary struggled up the stairs and went inside the home.
With a sigh of relief, he took in a deep breath as he savored his successful swim to his neighbor's
ark in the storm. The moment of relief was short-lived as the windows broke in Deb's home.
Gary stuffed mattresses in the open wounds and waited out Ivan's wrath. Once the storm had
abated slightly, Gary could see the rubble that had been his home for almost forty years.
Eventually, Gary made his way to the Dome, where food, water, and new friends at least
alleviated the isolation he had felt during the storm. In the following days, Gary would spend his
days sifting through the sand for items that would become mementos of his life before Ivan.
Treasures searched for with great diligence and found with great joy! In many cases, the items
survivors cling to have no monetary value, but they are invaluable because of what they
represent. Gary found a bottle of scotch that had been given to him decades ago. For over
thirty years, he had been saving it for a special occasion. Surviving Ivan, the Terrible, definitely
qualified as a special occasion.
wonderful people I met along the way.
15
All of us at the Dome‟s Survivors
Camp grilled steaks and fish under
the stars and embraced the
peaceful solitude for the evening.
We knew the next days, weeks,
months and years would be filled
with the headaches and heartaches
of rebuilding our lives.
Troops arrived the next day to take
the NBC crew to "safety." We took
pictures and they left with souvenir
Dome t-shirts and hats. I felt very
bonded with them and my
appreciation for the soldiers they
are has deepened into a
tremendous respect. Another silver
lining of this experience was the
After several days, the officials allowed the residents back on the beach. But the roads were such
a mess, people had to park at the core area and walk to their homes. I wept as I saw elderly
neighbors stumbling through the sand for a look at their homes. Lifetimes of memories swept
away in a moment. Residents really couldn't salvage much because of the long trek, in many
cases miles, to the core area. What you chose to save was relegated to what you were strong

enough to carry for that distance. My heart broke when I heard the sobs ripped from my
neighbors' chests and watched their torrent of tears replace the receding storm waters.
Visitors continued to make the Dome of a Home one of their stops as they surveyed the island.
Joe Scarborough, Florida Congressman and now host of his own TV program, came by to see
the madman‟s house. He declined an invitation up the ladder because of a health issue with his
back. Ivan brought much more than wind, sand, and water to the Dome of a Home. A whirlwind
of media, officials, politicians, and survivors swept through the Dome for the next several days.
Even today, we feel ripples from Ivan‟s storm as magazines and TV interviews are still a common
occurrence. Although Hurricane Ivan was a culmination of several events in my life, it was also a
new beginning.
16

3 Mother Nature's Influence in My Life
You could say that Mother Nature and I have been intimately involved since my conception. In
January of 1951, while I was growing in my mother's womb, my father informed his citified wife
that she was moving to the country. He had bought a farm so the family of twelve (my mom, her
mother, my father, eight kids, and me on the way) was leaving Kansas City to live on the Missouri
River bluffs in Wyandotte County, Kansas. Originally, this move had been prompted by my
brother's desire to own a horse. Quite quickly, the farm would become our sustenance.
I was born in May, 1951, five months after my mother left the city, her friends and social life to live
on sixty-four acres of land. The intention was never to use the land to survive, but Mother Nature
proved to have other plans. The Midwest flood of June 1951 destroyed my father's dental
laboratory. At that time, flood insurance was not available to compensate a business until work
could resume. It would be a couple of years before my dad's lab was making teeth again.
Without warning, the farm became the family business. I was only one month old, but I know the
importance of Mother Nature's fickle character was impressed into my very being at that time.
Relying on the orchard's crop for our ability to survive caused the weather to be a daily concern.
Hail stripped the trees, shattered the branches, and bruised the fruit; high winds blew the fruit off
the trees and bruised them; and the frost could kill the blooms. Weather could easily wipe out the
crops and ruin our season.
Everyone living in tornado alley is aware in a general way of the weather. But, eking out a living
on a farm made the weather very personal.
As definite novices in the farming culture, our survival was tenuous. The family had to rely on
what they managed to grow and the local Catholic charities to feed the twelve member family.
Eighteen months later, my youngest brother would be born into this farming family. And months
later, my youngest sister would complete our family.
For those of you who are counting: I am number nine out of eleven children.
But, frost was a preeminent concern that froze our hearts in fear. When frost warnings were
issued, we held our breath and went outside to inspect the trees. If the grass crunched under our
feet, we knew the blooms were damaged and the crop was ruined. The frost settled in the valleys
first, with the hills maintaining their warmth longer. When a late frost was imminent, the entire
family moved into action like a colony of ants. Everyone had a job to do as the tires were spread
throughout the orchard: one tire per four trees. The youngest carried the fuel and poured it onto
the tires as the older children lit the tires. There was a natural incentive to quickly douse the tire
with fuel and move on to the next tire as your loving older brothers chased you with a lit torch.
The hope was to create a blanket of smoke that would hinder the frost's ability to penetrate and
kill the bloom. In the early dawn, the sight and smell of the fires and smoke reminded me of a
battlefield. The surreal scene and the adrenaline we felt from our parents' anxiety pushed us to
the max as we tried desperately to outwit Mother Nature's damaging frost. Death or life of the
produce was precarious. Our financial situation was perilously dependent on the weather's effect
on the crop.
This dependency on Mother Nature's benevolence continues to this day. My retirement is a
vacation rental beach home on Pensacola Beach. Hurricanes devastate my investment and my
income. I built the Dome of a Home in the hopes of minimizing Mother Nature's effect when she
was feeling malevolent. My hopes were that the Dome would work with her, instead of trying to
defy her.
17

My first home was an 1800's farm house on several acres along the Missouri River. Thankfully, I
would not be trying to feed my family from crops raised on its soil. But, the home was in
desperate condition – the first in a long line of homes I would buy that needed to be gutted and
restored. I enjoyed buying old homes, renovating them, and personalizing them. Through the
years and twelve houses, I saw many techniques and learned many skills that would become
very useful in building the Dome of a Home. Because of my history, I was familiar with what
worked and what didn't. This knowledge would reach its culmination when we moved to
Pensacola Beach, Florida in 1994.
My wife, Valerie, and I married on the beautifully snowy Valentine's Day of 1994 in Colorado
Springs at the Garden of the Gods. After our honeymoon, we flew back to Kansas City, got into
our previously packed cars and made the journey to our new home in Pensacola Beach. Our
friendly neighbors welcomed us to Paradise and tried to ease our hurricane fears with, "Quit
worrying, we haven't had a hurricane in 20 years."
Valerie had been concerned about hurricanes as soon as I began contemplating the move
several months earlier. As soon as we arrived, we both began having terrifying nightmares of
walls of water. Valerie frequently had night terrors, dreaming she had awoken to discover several
inches of water on the bedroom floor. In the dream, she would look out the window trying to
determine where the water was coming from, only to see the entire island covered in water with
huge waves threatening to break in our second story windows.
Upon daybreak, the nightmares would fade and we would plunge into our project. Of course, in
keeping with my tradition, the home we bought needed to be gutted and completely remodeled.
With great gusto, we eagerly began to transform the dark, dingy house into our dream retirement
home. Shortly after we arrived, I came home from my daily trip to Home Depot to find a 10' high
pile of debris in our front yard. Valerie had dismantled everything she was capable of and thrown
it out the patio door: carpet, rotten sub-flooring, paneling, old cabinets, and even the swimming
pool slide. It was a labor of love and we hardly minded sleeping on an air mattress in the upstairs
loft. Using a ladder to traverse from the second to third floor in the middle of the night for the
bathroom was a bit treacherous, but we happily managed.
With the insane vengeance of our optimism, we worked day and night for four months. Repairs
were almost completed when our first hurricane season began. Tropical Storm Alberto, yes the A
– the first storm of the first hurricane season welcomed the newbies to the beach on July 3, 1994.
It would prove to be the ominous forecaster of what was to come. Months later, a cycle of
catastrophic storms began that continues to this day.
We shrugged off the ridicule and laughter of the 'old timer locals' on the beach as we boarded up
our windows and fled inland. We thought it was better to be safe than sorry, especially with the
frequent nightmares we were both having. Our first attempt at storm mitigation as 'newcomers on
the beach' was ½" plywood, screwed and caulked, over the doors and windows. Our son, Mike,
spray painted "Go Away, Alberto" on the plywood to ward off the unwanted intruder.
The next intruder came ashore the following year on August 3, 1995. Although predicted to make
landfall near Biloxi, Mississippi, the hurricane made an unexpected turn suddenly south of Cape
San Blas, placing Pensacola Beach in the bull's eye. So, we prepared again by placing plywood
on the doors and windows, caulking it in place to reduce water entry. Hurricane Erin's eye came
ashore at Pensacola Beach, Florida with 100+ mile per hour winds. It is rated by the Hurricane
Center as a Category 2 with damages exceeding $700 million. The storm was odd because the
storm surge came from the Sound (north) side of the island instead of the Gulf. Consequently,
the 1950 – 1970's concrete block homes built along the Sound were flooded worse than the ones
on the Gulf side. Pensacola Beach is only 4 to 5 blocks wide, but it was still a shock to see more
flood damage on the north side of the island than the Gulf side of the island.
18

The winds spawned an F-1 tornado that skipped across the island. The evident swath across our
neighborhood included damage to our 12 on 12 pitch roof. The tornado ripped off one third of the
roof and left us a souvenir board diagonally extruding from the east side of the house. The wind
ripped off the canopy of the city's majestic trees and left much of the area without power. Tree
branches and downed power lines made driving dangerous. To make matters even more
miserable, we were not allowed back on the island for several days. Not knowing the condition of
our home made the event even more traumatic.
Unbeknownst at that
time, we would receive
a one-two punch that
would leave us reeling.
Two months later, on
October 4, 1995,
Hurricane Opal
delivered the second
punch of the season.
We were in shock! In
our first 20 months of
living on the beach, we
had been affected by
three storms. My trust
in the locals'
assurances about
storms was, well, let's
say compromised. If
these events had
occurred during the
superstitious era of the
witch trials, I would have been concerned for our safety. Here we were, newcomers to this small
island community that had no recent history of storms until we moved in. Centuries ago, our
nightmares of walls of water and the island flooding would have sealed our fate.
Hurricane Opal was a much larger storm than Hurricane Erin. It strengthened to almost a
Category 5 storm in the Gulf when it was 250 miles southwest of Pensacola, Florida. The
residents were dazed zombies making preparations for the second storm in two months. The
tension was palpable as we stood in lines for supplies. Like us, most people had not had time to
make repairs from Erin. The impending sense of doom was reflected in the eyes of the residents.
We had tried everything, short of having Valerie standing naked on the street corner waving cash,
to hire a roofer after Hurricane Erin. With our 12 on 12 pitch roof, no roofer would risk his crew on
such a steep incline. At Valerie's urging, I climbed onto the roof toting my blue tarp. I needed her
help so she climbed the ladder and proceeded to freeze. Rooted to the roof and unable to move,
Valerie‟s fear froze her so completely she was incapable of climbing further up the roof or
navigating down the ladder. Fortunately, our neighbor, Vic Mitchell, was on his deck, assessed
the situation, and was able to talk her down. Never again did she ask me to get on the roof.
Even though our roof still sported a blue tarp, which we knew was no match for the upcoming
winds, we made what preparations we could. Knowing water would enter our patched roof, we
still elected to seal the windows and doors with plywood and caulking once again. We moved our
outdoor furniture inside the upstairs screened porch and placed items from the garage into the
kitchen.
None of the neighbors were laughing at the newbies now, even though Opal's path was not a
certainty yet.
19

On the eve of Hurricane Opal most of the neighbors were gone by midnight. My kids were in
Kansas City with their mother and Valerie had already retreated to our friends' home in town.
Wave by insidious wave, the storm surge creeped over Ariola Drive. Although the severe winds
and high surge were hours away, I could tell that this storm was a bad one. I stayed to watch as
long as I dared. With great longing, I walked through the home we had so diligently created.
Eventually, I said good-bye to our home. Waves washed through the garage as I walked through
my backyard to my neighbor's home on Maldonado to retrieve my car and leave the island I had
come to love.
At 2 am, I drove to Blane and Heather Butler's home off of Scenic Drive where Valerie was
staying. She and Heather were already asleep, so I turned on the Weather Channel for the latest
update. Hurricane Opal had strengthened again and was almost a Category 5 storm with
Pensacola in her sights. Immediately, I woke Valerie and told her we needed to leave town now.
Sleepily, she asked if we could wait until morning. My answer was a resounding, "NO! We are
leaving now!" A Category 5 would literally blow down the house we were in just like the big bad
wolf in the Three Little Pigs story. Like falling dominoes, structures would easily fail in this
monster of a storm.
We loaded up the car and headed for Texas, bemoaning the fact that our friends elected to stay.
When we reached the bridge over Mobile Bay in Alabama, water was already licking the roadway.
Evidently, Pensacola awoke to the news that a Category 5 was ready to devour the area and
panicked. On the radio, we heard about evacuation routes gridlocked for 40 miles. Cars with
empty tanks were stranded on the roads as tens of thousands of residents became vulnerable
prey for the impending Opal. Radio personnel were issuing warnings instructing people to flee
their cars for the nearest structures. Catastrophic loss of life was expected. My wife and I wept
as we remembered all of our friends that were waiting for dawn to break before leaving town.
They were now stuck wherever they were to ride out Hurricane Opal's fury. We were
overwhelmed in grief.
20

Two hours before the intense impact was expected, a miracle occurred. Opal had dropped to a
Category 3 storm. No easy picnic, to be sure. But, the devastation would be greatly reduced.
Our community leaders would have the opportunity to make necessary changes in policy to avoid
future evacuation gridlock. Would they seize the learning experience or just count their blessings
and go on with business as usual? Nine years later Hurricane Ivan, the Terrible, would test the
area once again. Yet another personal silver lining would emerge when we were required to
receive our neighbors' approval for building the Dome of a Home. Many of them were Opal
survivors and wholeheartedly understood what we were trying to accomplish by building the
Dome of a Home.
Hurricane Opal doused our home through our injured roof and surged our first floor with a couple
of feet of water. Once again, we weren't allowed to see our homes for what seemed an eternity.
When we did finally get permission to visit the beach, police checked our IDs and armed National
Guardsmen were on the street corners which was both intimidating and comforting. The beach
was forever changed. The plethora of unusual shells left on the beach in Opal's wake were
evidence of how deeply the waters had been churned. I viewed it as a fitting metaphor for the
deep emotions that would continue to churn for years.
Swept away with Opal's waves was our world as we knew it. We were forever changed. I looked
at the Gulf with new respect and fear. I was awed by the power she wielded. The power to
change the course of so many lives lay in Mother Nature's hands. And, at her whim, you could
be the next victim. It was an unsettling realization.
With so many people affected, housing was difficult to secure and we were effectively homeless.
Our wonderful friends, the Butlers, allowed us to live with them until we had made enough repairs
to move back to Ariola Drive. Nine months passed before we had one room ready to move back
into.
Hurricanes are the great equalizer. It doesn‟t matter who you were in the world before “the
storm”; now, you are another hurricane survivor grateful for the simple luxuries you once took for
granted. What I missed first: a hot shower. What I stayed grateful for the longest: a hot shower.
It‟s amazing how a shower brings back my hope and optimism. It makes me feel human again.
Back at the beach, we ate Red Cross meals and showered in the tents they had provided. What
a wonderful organization! They drove up and down the streets with food, water, and ice.
Neighbors were generous with their smiles, help, and supplies. I was struck by the sense of
community as we coalesced into a recovering group of survivors.
But, the stress definitely took its toll. Divorces were prevalent among those whose homes were
destroyed. After our neighbor's home was destroyed by Hurricane Erin, another neighbor offered
them the use of his home across the street. Hurricane Opal completely devoured the transitional
home and the meager belongings that had survived Erin. Our neighbor had a heart attack and
died during Opal. Losing everything twice in two months was more than he could bear. The
financial and emotional burdens were incomprehensible. Many of our neighbors fled inland,
having had enough of the Gulf's uninvited intrusive visits.
Post traumatic stress disorder, PTSD. I had heard of it, thought I understood it, but I now had
empathy instead of sympathy for those with PTSD. I found myself blocking out entire events, with
no memory or recollection of them. Evidently, I went to a doctor's appointment after Hurricane
Opal. Years later, I would once again make an appointment with this doctor. He remembered
me, my wife, and the fact that I played guitar. Neither my wife or I remember ever going to his
office. I don't know if the memory loss caused by PTSD is to keep you sane by not allowing you
to continuously replay the events in your mind. Regardless, I find repeatedly that I have blocked
entire sections of my life from my memory banks. And I am not the only one. It seems to be
prevalent among the hurricane survivors I have spoken with.
21

Rebuilding began. Restoration of homes, lives, and sanity was a slow process. But, eventually,
a flurry of activity signaled the construction of new homes built to the current code. I noticed
several deficiencies in the new homes; construction practices that did not make any sense to me.
The old cinder block homes were replaced with new homes built on pilings. Wood pilings were
the norm, even though in our environment their life expectancy was only 30 to 40 years….if you
did not have the tenacious termites. Concrete pilings with metal rebar last a couple of decades
longer. The galvanized straps were already rusted in the boxes before they were used to secure
the structure. How long before the rust rendered them completely useless? Fiberglass insulation
that lost any semblance of R-value once moisture was introduced was still being used. I was
deeply disturbed that the building codes seemed to ignore the harsh coastal environment these
structures were being built in and ignore the obvious problems that were evident after Hurricanes
Erin and Opal. The salt fog that permeates the island, the constant wind, the water, and the
intense UV effect of the sun are elements that should be factored into building codes on the
coast. Like my brother said, "These are 15 year homes with a 30 year mortgage."
I knew there had to be a better way. I researched the alternatives as I observed the buildings
around me take form. As I decided that a monolithic dome house was a near perfect structure for
the coastal location, I made my wish list. Its structural integrity combined with the correct building
elements would help to greatly mitigate the effects of the harsh environment. Unique
environments require unique solutions. I told my wife that if we ever had a chance to build, I
wanted to build a dome home.
Our chance would arrive in the mail five years later.
22

The kitchen trash.
4 HUMBLE BEGINNINGS
Humble beginnings for the beautiful Dome of a Home, but alas, 'tis true.
One fateful day, I opened the mail in the kitchen instead of my office. That seemingly insignificant
decision irrevocably changed my life.
We had received a letter from the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, FMAP, offering us an
opportunity to apply for a grant to mitigate further flood damage. Immediately, I threw it into the
trash. Government anything means red tape, headaches, and endless reams of paperwork. I
wanted nothing, and I mean absolutely nothing, to do with jumping through government hoops.
Filing taxes once a year was enough involvement for me. So, the letter went into the kitchen
trash.
With destiny guiding Mark's hand as he dug through the trash for something neither of us
remember, he pulled out THE LETTER. Mark never goes through the trash and he doesn't read
the mail. So for him to read mail placed in the trash was doubly disconcerting.
I felt the tingle of apprehension even before he said, "What's this?"
I mumbled back, "Just a migraine waiting to happen."
"Don't you think we should at least call and see what this is all about?" he counters.
WE??? I knew what that meant – me.
Paperwork was my household responsibility and I could already feel the red tape strangling me
as I contemplated making the call. I must have given Mark The Look because he quickly
volunteered to make the call. With the clarity of hindsight, I now know I should have made that
call. If I had made the call I would have dismissed the information as quickly as I had the letter.
But, instead fate began to laugh as Mark dialed the phone.
In that moment, I began to mourn my paper shredder. I had recently burned up the motor
preparing my tax paperwork for our CPA and had not replaced it yet. Ironic how it is the
mindless, inconsequential decisions that seem to ultimately rock your world. Disturbing, actually.
And, thus the saga began.
Mark learned through his phone call that the opportunity to apply for grant was issued to over
10,000 people in Escambia County. The government money was to be divided among those
whose grant proposals were accepted. Although the exact formula for determining who would be
accepted was held like a Top Secret X-file, Mark did discover that applicants had to have at least
two flood claims. The usual and customary purpose of the grant was to elevate the existing
structure on pilings. However, since we had a concrete cinder block home, this was not an
option.
Within thirty minutes of the initial phone call, Mark had mapped out an extensive scenario.
We would apply for a grant, not to raise our home, but to demolish it and build a hurricane
resistant dome home. The proposal would be so unusual; it would garner the attention of the
necessary officials throughout the government's hierarchy. This would give our proposal an
advantage over the other proposals submitted. The dome would not only mitigate flood damage,
but wind damage as well. Mark also envisioned an informational web site documenting the
process and to be available as a reference and educational tool.
23

I must say, Mystic Mark was right on all accounts; the reality far exceeding either of our
expectations. To my dismay, my nightmarish visions of suffocating in red tape were also true.
Now, seven years later, I understand that the Law of Attraction brings to us what we have
focused our attention and emotions towards – good or not so good. Mark‟s vision brought us the
Dome of a Home as I stumbled through the government obstacle course.
The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program was a pilot program in Florida, which means in lay
terms „everyone was flying by the seat of their pants and no one was familiar with the procedure.‟
For example, the letter encouraged us to attend a meeting that would explain more. Great!
Except the letter was dated after the meeting had already occurred. I knew it was going to take a
truckload of aspirin to get through this migraine in the making, but we – (yes, we) decided to
pursue the elusive grant.
After Hurricanes Erin and Opal damaged our home in 1995, Mark began researching how to build
a better coastal structure. Although he was familiar with dome structures, he began collecting an
extensive amount of technological data to incorporate into a coastal home. Constantly, he was
critiquing the homes on the beach that were being rebuilt after the storms. Very little was being
done to alleviate further damage by the next storm. When we rode our bikes on the beach, he
would point to particle board and explain how it would swell in the high moisture environment;
how fiberglass insulation is useless once it is exposed to moisture and serves as a Petri dish for
mold and mildew growth; vents in the outdoor soffits would become entry ways for the water to
douse the home. As his list of do's and don't's for coastal living grew, Mark decided a monolithic
dome was one of the few structures that would work with Mother Nature. Instead of building a
futile structure and trying to
defy her, Mark declared he
would build a dome, given
the chance.
The grant proposal was
that chance. His infectious
energy convinced me to
find my machete and hack
through the red tape. Mark
is affectionately called Tom
Sawyer by people who
know him. He has an
uncanny ability to inspire
people to work for him.
The twenty page
application grew into a 3"
binder of information. I was well aware that organization was the secret to having paperwork
examined and accepted. It's human nature: if a file is a mess or a headache, it goes to the
bottom of the pile. And forget an unorganized file garnering any attention on a Monday or a
Friday. No one wants to deal with it at the beginning of the work week, nor when one's mind is
pre-occupied with the weekend's relaxation. So, I accumulated and organized the pictures,
graphs, and text.
Deadlines rapidly approached since there was a significant delay in FMAP's delivery of the initial
letter. The mountain of paperwork required was daunting and much of it redundant and
unnecessary. Although our grant proposal application was for a demo and rebuild, FMAP
insisted on three bids to raise the home on pilings. Ridiculous paperwork that wastes the time
and money of both the government and ourselves. What contractor wanted to put in the time and
effort for a bid that was obviously never going to come to fruitation? Exactly, none! Like a dog
chasing his tail, we jumped through hoops that should never have been part of this government
circus. But, we did.
24

The cost of submitting the application, including paying contractors for nonsense bids, was over
$12,000. Even with this substantial investment, there was no guarantee of a grant – this was
strictly the cost of the red tape. Without enough time for architectural drawings or an engineer's
outline, we had to submit the cost of building our home. And you can imagine how complicated
this would be with a monolithic dome. How could we give an accurate bid without this
information? We couldn't. But, we were assured that if our grant proposal was accepted, we
would be allowed an extra 20% of funding if our expenses exceeded our original bid. More on
that adventure later.
The burden of making a decision to go forth left me anxious and sleepless. When I did sleep, the
red tape monster chased me through my many nightmares. We were going to spend at least
$12,000 just to apply for the grant. If we decided to build the dome, the grant would only cover a
very small portion of the expenses. Quite literally, we would be investing all of our savings in one
egg in one basket. I was a nervous wreck. Mark thought it was an opportunity we should take.
I'm thinking, "If the government is offering it, it probably is not a good deal for us. Remember the
deals they made with the Native Americans?" Obviously, Mark convinced me to keep on trudging
through the mire and muck. Exhausted, I finally completed the most difficult homework
assignment of my life.
Several weeks later, we received a notice advising us that our grant proposal had been accepted.
A conference was scheduled to meet with our FEMA representative and county liaison, Bob
Davis. Other families who had also been accepted were present at the meeting. At that meeting
we were informed of even more impending red tape. Only two families, including ours, decided to
proceed with the next stage.
Because the grant was associated with FEMA, we had to have the house tested for asbestos
before demolition could begin. If it did contain asbestos, the cost of demolition would be
exorbitant. We did not know at the time that this was required and therefore, did not request the
additional funding for demolition. In a routine demolition of a residential home this is not required.
Fortunately, we did not have asbestos.
One hoop successfully jumped through.
The asbestos hoop was only one of many in this three ring circus.
Deadlines loomed. We had less than 24 months to find another place to live, demo our home,
hire an engineer and architect, design an unusual dome home, build it while dodging other
hurricanes, and complete the final paperwork before time ran out. If we did not meet our
deadline, the grant would be revoked.
Talk about pressure! And then, there was the politics – an element I had not factored in.
25

5 POLITICS
politics: n 1: social relations involving authority or power
Ring one of the three ring circus was successfully navigated as we made it through the first round
of the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program's elimination process. For the second act, we
successfully filed our grant proposal to build a dome structure on Pensacola Beach, Florida. The
proposal had garnered the attention of FEMA officials at the regional and national levels, just as
Mark predicted. Whew! We assumed that our major hurdles had been jumped. With backing of
a federal agency, one would think the local authorities would follow suit and encourage those
wanting to build a storm resistant home on their beach. One would think….
On Pensacola Beach, residents have a governing body, the Santa Rosa Island Authority. With
the exception of one representative elected by the residents of the beach, the other five board
members are appointed by the Escambia County Commissioners. The appointed members'
terms are the same as the commissioner who appointed them; the elected member's term is two
years. The SRIA oversees the activities on the beach and acts as an extension of the County
Commissioners. The SRIA's approval was necessary before continuing our project.
Through the grapevine, we heard that our project was essentially dead in the water. We had
spent over $12,000 to apply for the grant; the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program had approved
our grant; the grant money would be filtered through Escambia County; and now we were being
stymied at the lowest tier of government? At that time, no other home owner had to maneuver
through all of the same hoops that were required of us, but we honed our jumping skills and
decided to just play the game.
Our grapevine angel suggested collecting local homeowners' and business owners' signatures on
a letter stating they did not mind if we built a dome on our lot. I also prepared packets of
information about the unique hurricane resistant qualities of the dome structure for the board
members.
Like a politician pounding the pavement, I walked for miles discussing the Dome of a Home, the
grant, and what we hoped to accomplish by building a hurricane resistant home. Many residents
I spoke to were 1995 Hurricane Erin and Opal survivors. Each and every person I spoke with was
supportive, curious, and eager to see the finished product. The encouragement we received from
the island residents buoyed my spirits and lightened my step as we continued onward in our fight
for a structure designed to endure the coastal environment.
In three days, I received almost 150 signatures and we managed to deliver informational material
to all but one member of the board. But we would soon discover, not one of them took the
opportunity to review the material before the meeting. So much for doing their homework; they
would be voting on a subject they had not taken the time to study. In my naivety, I was appalled
that the government operated in this manner.
But, our all of efforts weren‟t for naught. Others listened and responded to the information we
presented.
Perhaps the most significant person we spent time with was the architect on the SRIA's
Architectural Review Board, John Tice. Although he originally told us he only had five minutes to
spare, once he saw the depictions of the dome structure, he became intrigued. When we
explained what the monolithic dome structure was capable of in the face of a hurricane, Mr. Tice
allowed us to extend our five minute limit. His support was invaluable and we appreciate his
willingness to see outside the box. Debbie Norton, the manager for the Environmental and
Developmental Services Department at SRIA, was was supportive and another crucial element to
our success. She aptly reminded the board members of refusing a couple's request in the 1970s
to build their home on pilings five times. That couple's innovative idea was now one of the
26

equired building codes for the coast. She encouraged the SRIA board members to not make the
same mistake by refusing our request to build the dome.
We had FEMA deadlines to meet and time was ticking away as we continued to plead our case.
Finally, the evening of the "vote" came. I was nauseous, so I sat and watched as my family ate
Chinese food. But, heartening news arrived in the fortune cookies.
"Everything will now come your way."
"You will be fortunate to everything you put your hands to."
I dressed for the meeting and tried to still my rushing mind and pounding heart. At the last
minute, I removed my Zen meditation cards from their case. The Success card went flying across
the room and landed at Mark's feet. Basically, the meditation states:
The world is celebrating your success with a tickertape parade. Because of your willingness to
accept the recent challenges of life, you are now – or you will soon be – enjoying the wonderful
ride on the tiger of success. Welcome it, enjoy it, and share your joy with others - and remember
that all bright parades have a beginning and an end. If you keep this in mind, and squeeze every
drop of juice out of the happiness you are experiencing now, you will be able to take the future as
it comes without regrets. .
27
I went outside and sat on my deck until it
was time to leave. The waves lapping
gently on the shore lulled me into a
dreamlike state. I began to feel the house
morph around me and I slowly realized that
I was sitting on the deck of the Dome Home.
It had manifested itself around me and I
knew in that moment we would be building
the dome on Pensacola Beach. A parallel
universe seeping through? I don't know, but
the experience had a profound effect on me.
Several times in the next year, I would feel
like we were just midwives assisting the
birth of an entity that was creating itself.
While we were sitting in Mark‟s truck before
the meeting, Mark noticed a news reporter
in the parking lot. In an effort to catch her
attention, Mark stepped out of the truck and
walked to my window flashing our
presentation artwork. Just as Mark hoped,
the reporter responded by asking Mark why
he was at the meeting.
That very evening, the dome would be
christened by Mollye Barrows, reporter for
our local ABC news affiliate. Although she
and a cameraman were at the meeting for a
different item on the agenda, Mollye and
Mark discussed our desire to build a
hurricane resistant dome on the beach. In her broadcast, Mollye began the piece with "There's a
Dome of a Home going up on Pensacola Beach." The dome project had its official designation.
And its web site domain www.domeofahome.com was born.

With a great sense of peace, I went to the meeting, knowing that it would all end as it should.
With the support and vision of Ms. Norton and Mr. Tice, we received a majority vote in our favor,
with only one dissenting vote by Mr. Martin McGuire. Another hurdle jumped, but we were not
finished yet. Although it was just a formality for the Escambia County Commissioners to sign a
piece of paperwork acknowledging receipt of the grants into the county budget, it was postponed
for two months because of scheduling delays. Many of the commissioners were being
investigated for alleged criminal acts; the FMAP grant was not priority for them at that point. Our
project stalled until the paperwork was signed and entered into the official records. Finally, ring
three was completed and we could move on to the actual construction process.
It seemed ludicrous that we would have to struggle so diligently to construct a hurricane resistant
structure on a coast that had felt the effects of several hurricanes. It was then that I understood
the insanity of politics. While Webster has other definitions for the word politics, mine would
become:
The insane game of spending too much time, energy, and money to fight the established powers
to accomplish a project that makes logical sense.
Yes, I had become a cynic in the process.
But, I would also become more convinced than ever as events unfolded that a higher purpose
existed for this Dome of a Home. Certainly there have been times of doubt, and still are, but
there have been instances of great knowing that this project was larger than us and held a
purpose of its own.
28

6 METAMORPHOSIS
The Dome Home would become a reality. From years of research and dreams to finally receiving
the last necessary approval from the various government officials, the hoops had been jumped,
the red tape navigated, and the Dome Home would finally be built. The enormity of what had
occurred overwhelmed me. A visionary realizing his dream, Mark would fulfill his desire to build a
beach home designed for coastal living. He would not be manipulating the blueprints of a
conventional home to meet Florida's building codes. Instead, he would build a home specifically
designed for our environment: a home that took into account the humidity and the constant
attack of salt spray, as well as hurricane and flooding factors.
This was manifestation in the grandest sense of the word. I had never witnessed the process of
having a dream of such magnitude become a reality. Building the Dome of a Home would prove
to be a spiritual voyage - a journey that was filled with miracles and despair; amazing
developments and frustrating delays; days of uplifting joy and devastating despair. Like most life
passages, it was filled with peaks and valleys. But, through it all, I knew that she, Serenity by the
Sea, aka The Dome of a Home, had her own agenda, her own life essence, her own destiny. We
were merely the tools she was using to manifest herself. Being the midwife for such an entity
irrevocably changed me.
I have been blessed with many miracles in my life. Most of the time, it is only in hindsight that I
realize how perfectly the synchronistic pieces of the puzzle fit together. However, Serenity by the
Sea's conception and birth have provided me with the beautiful opportunity of being aware and
appreciating the miracles as they occur. Of course, I don't always have the wisdom in the
moment, but, for me, this project provided numerous opportunities for me to stand in awe and
whisper, "I am witnessing a miracle happening right here and right now." The whispering rush of
angels' wings accompanied the continually opening doors of opportunity.
When I consulted my journals for the months preceding the arrival of the FMAP letter, it seemed
obvious that the stage was being set for Serenity's debut. I was in a space of spiritual
openness, eager to allow the path to unfold before me. My mantra had become, "Trust the
process." With the perspective of a few years, I am better able to understand and honor the
interconnectedness of the series of people, places, and events that coalesced to make building
the Dome of a Home possible.
My New Year's Resolution for 2001 was to read and follow the guidelines in Suze Orman's book,
Nine Steps to Financial Freedom. Her amazing book includes practical suggestions for managing
one's finances, but also includes exercises confronting the emotional aspects of money. Ms.
Orman explains that the emotional relationship we have with money affects its manifestation and
how freeing oneself from the chains of fear allows energy to flow unabated.
I was also reading Eckert Tolle's book, The Power of Now. His words of wisdom helped me to
embrace the concept that peace can be the constant anchor in the fluctuating river of chaos we
call life when we realize our life situations are not the same as our lives.
These philosophies would bring me comfort in the upcoming months as I experienced the
extreme highs and lows of the dome project. Before reading these books, my fear would have
limited the opportunities that were about to knock on our door. Granted, my fear of government
paperwork and red tape caused me to throw the letter in the kitchen trash. But, destiny was not
deterred as my broken paper shredder and Mark's unusual foray into the trash combined to fulfill
our fate. Silly as it may seem, I would cling to this "proof" that we were making the right choice to
build the Dome Home several times in the upcoming years.
29

Once the red tape maze had been navigated, it was time to turn "talkitecture into architecture", as
our wonderful architect and friend, Jonathan Zimmerman, so aptly stated. The image of the
Dome of a Home I had pasted all over our house would become our home. From image to reality
– a leap of faith that quite ironically, terrified me as much as it thrilled me.
The irrevocable decision to bulldoze the home we had poured our very being into just seven
years ago was painful. We had completely remodeled the house in 1994 and just a year later we
would do it again after Hurricanes Erin and Opal. In 1998, we made more repairs after Hurricane
Georges. And now we were going to voluntarily raze the house we had spent so much time and
love remodeling? On a practical level, we were aware that we would continue to make the same
storm repairs over and over again because of our ground level status. But, I was not prepared for
the emotional grief tugging at my heart as we watched the dozer take bite after bite of our house.
What had taken us months to accomplish was negated in a matter of hours. Facing my damaged
home after the storms was wrenching, but to purposefully unleash a machine to destroy her felt
like betrayal. For a home built on the ground, she had performed admirably against the onslaught
of several storms. Now, I was essentially telling her that her efforts just weren't good enough.
The home had represented the beginning of our life together as a married couple. It was home
for our children. It was the first home in which I felt I was a part of the community. The home was
the fabric of my security.
I cried and grieved as I heard her skeleton breaking; I gathered broken pieces of the tile we had
so carefully selected; I respectfully touched the torn walls that we had so lovingly faux painted; I
realized our children would never walk through those doors again and be visually reminded of
their early years on the beach.
Memories flooded me as more and more of the home's interior became exposed. I felt
eviscerated in concert with my home's destruction. My tears would never assuage the guilt and
uncertainty I felt as I paid homage to the home that had held so much laughter and hope.
30

In utter shock, I stopped my sobbing to stare at my hand – a butterfly had ever so gently landed
on me. In the winter? Where had this butterfly come from? I look up and see the wall of our
daughter's room exposed. Just last spring, I had painted colorful butterflies on her bright yellow
walls. And now the gift I had given was giving back to me. The imagery was magically surreal.
The symbolism was obvious. Serenity by the Sea would emerge as the beautiful butterfly. But,
the caterpillar must first undergo the metamorphosis, the complete destruction of its former self.
In Deepok Chopra's The Book of Secrets, he eloquently explains the metamorphic process from
caterpillar to butterfly.
The catepillar's organs and tissues dissolve into an amorphous, souplike state, only to
reconstitute into the structure of a butterfly's body that bears no resemblance to a caterpillar at all.
Science has no idea why metamorphosis evolved. It is almost impossible to imagine that
insects hit on it by chance – the chemical complexity of turning into a butterfly is incredible;
thousands of steps are all minutely interconnected. (It's as if you dropped off a bicycle at the
shop to be repaired, and when you came back the parts had become a Gulfstream jet.)
But we do have some idea about how this delicate chain of events is linked. Two
hormones, one called juvenile hormone, the other ecdysone, regulate the process, which looks to
the naked eye like a caterpillar dissolving into soup. These two hormones make sure that the
cells moving from larva to butterfly know where they are going and how they are to change.
Some cells are told to die; others digest themselves, while still others turn into eyes, antennae,
and wings. This implies a fragile and miraculous rhythm that must remain in precise balance
between creation and destruction.
The message was clear: our first home was the caterpillar from whom the butterfly would
emerge. The destruction of the old was necessary for the creation of the new. Although the new
structure would bear no resemblance to the previous one, Serenity would be born from its
remnants. The Dome of a Home would be the end result of a miraculous chain of thousands of
interconnected steps. A great comfort descended upon me as I understood the miraculous
unfolding of events before me.
I do not want to paint the completely inaccurate picture that I was perfectly serene and always
comfortable with the decision we made. Quite the contrary, many times I was a raving lunatic
mad with anxiety. Building the Dome of a Home was a mirror reflecting the construction and
destruction of various aspects of my soul. We would grow and evolve together. Building the
Dome was the most difficult undertaking of my life.
Was it worth it? Yes, yes, yes! It was worth it. Not because we now have a beautiful home to live
in, not because it has garnered world wide attention, but because it has taught me how to
recognize miraculous synchronocities in the present moment. I learned how to creatively and
consciously visualize and then manifest a dream into reality. I have enough perspective now to
recognize and appreciate the web our lives weave as we travel down our paths.
In March 2001, I was meditating on the follow question: What is the underlying
cause/effect/outcome of our financial situation?
The following insightful cards illuminated the answer to my questions,
THE WHEEL OF CHANGE
The only unchanging thing in the world is change. If you cling to the edge of the wheeL
you will become dizzy. Move to the center and relax. Being centered and present in the
now allows me to more easily Trust The Process.
THE MASTER
31

The Master has no desire that anything be other than it is. This card reminded me that
as I face my fears, I will become more content with living in the present moment. There is no
past, no future, only the Now. Surrender and accept without wishing for life to be different.
POSSIBILITIES
This card indicates one is at a point where possibilities are opening up. It is a
reminder that you will be provided with exactly what you need. Celebrate the
landscape before you, be present in the blessings of now. By Trusting the
Process, a world of possibilities will open up. Enjoy the ride, the learning experience ,the
joy, the fun, and the opportunities. It is a chance to soar as an eagle.
FOUR OF PENTACLES
Be generous, not poverty stricken. Give and trust that what goes around comes around.
Abundance awaits us all. Believe in the abundance, be grateful for
what you have, and visualize the wealth of your Spirit.
KING OF PENTACLES
Encourages one to enjoy life, especially after a period of obstacles that have been
overcome with grace and ease. It also states that despite appearances to the contrary,
you will win big and enable others to be winners as well.
Less than a week after this meditation, we received the FMAP letter offering us the opportunity to
apply for a FEMA grant to help with the expenses of building a home that would mitigate further
flood damage. My meditation cards spoke of possibilities and opportunities. Then the letter
arrives. Obviously, I wasn't in a receptive state since I did throw the letter away. But, fortunately
my husband was following his intuition and the results are evidence of his strong belief in the
opportunity that was presented.
A Zen meditation I read once said. “Life is a mystery to be explored, not a business to be
managed.”
Wisdom is everywhere and in everything if we just open our hearts to it. Building the Dome of a
Home has made me appreciate the mysterious tapestry of our lives.
32

7 SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN
The Flood Mitigation Assistance Program was FEMA‟s new pilot program and we were its initiate
class. You can easily imagine how organized the program was and be absolutely correct.
Without boring you with reams of red tape stories, suffice it to say we were encouraged when our
FMAP representative assured us we would be able to ask for an additional 20% of the grant total
if we encountered unexpected expenses.
Unexpected expenses? We were buried in
unexpected expenses --- many a direct result of
insane governmental processes. Once the
initial grant was depleted, I called my county
liason, Bob Davis, and inquired about the extra
20% we had been promised. A long silence
lingered on the line. “Bob? Bob? Are you
there?”
Finally, Bob hesitantly suggests that it would
probably be impossible to actually attain that
money. None of the original FEMA personnel
were still with the program; we had nothing in
writing that verified our claims we had been
promised 20%; there was no precedence set
since this was the pilot program; we had a new,
less compassionate administration; and the
fiscal year of this program had ended; the fiscal
budget had been set for the new year and our
extra 20% was not part of that budget.
Perturbed, but not surprised, by this
information, I told Bob I wanted to write a letter
appealing for the money. He indulged me and
agreed to pass it along to the powers that be,
even though he held out little hope. I poured
my heart into the letter, delivered it to Bob, and
we sent it off on angel‟s wings.
Months later as I was packing to go to Texas for Christmas, I received a phone call. The
gentleman identified himself as Santa Claus. Giggling in anticipation I inquire in wonder, “Santa?
Is that really you?”
My giggles turned into sobs of gratitude as Bob told me he had a check for the additional 20% of
grant money on his desk. I screamed, I cried, I laughed, I gasped, and I was so very grateful that
what I had envisioned had come to pass. I don‟t remember how long it took me to regain some
semblance of composure, but eventually Bob asked if I was okay and told me how shocked he
was when he received that check.
Again and again, as I look back seven years later, I understand how the Law of Attraction caused
what I had focused on to manifest in the most miraculous way. This journey we embarked on
with the Serenity by the Sea is abundantly filled with miracles and synchronocities. I stand in awe
at the perfectness of it all.
33

8 "Z" IS FOR ARCHITECT AND ARTIST
The lot is cleared - an empty canvas anticipating the touch of an artist. Like a pristine Zen
garden, white sand beckons the art to emerge through its grains and into the physical world. I am
thrilled at the prospect of what will be born in this space of potentiality. Years of Mark's dreams
were finally coming to fruition in a home worthy to be in an art gallery.
We knew when hiring an architect for this project, we would actually be commissioning an artist.
We wanted a person that could catch our enthusiasm and visualize our dreams with us. We
needed a partner that could combine beauty with functionality in the hurricane resistant dome
home. We needed an architect with an open mind and an open heart.
After speaking to several architects and designers, Jonathan Zimmerman, affectionately known
as "Z", was the genius we chose to sculpt our artistic dome, Serenity by the Sea, out of concrete,
rebar, foam, and a PVC balloon. For us, his domes were aesthetically pleasing because of their
organic appearance. We wanted a design that would make us feel connected to the earth, a part
of Mother Nature's plan. Instead of sticking out like the proverbial sore thumb, Jonathan's domes
merged into their surroundings.
Jonathan designed a mountain dome that appears to be a boulder resting on a hillside. We love
that the home looks like it belongs there. Like a person that seems perfectly comfortable in their
skin and at ease in any situation, Jonathan's homes elicit that same image of comfortableness;
his innate sense of balance creating a calmness within.
Basically, we commissioned Jonathan to create a hurricane resistant sand dune for us. The
dome's shape is one that mimics Mother Nature's native sand dune. Even though the dome is a
unique home in a conventional neighborhood, we wanted it to blend into the beach. By having it
impersonate a sand dune, we could make the dome beautiful and as unobtrusive as possible I
took several paint color samples to the pristine area of the beach. The color chip that lost itself in
the sand was the one I selected. We would paint the dome the exact color of the sugary white
quartz sand on Pensacola Beach.
34

I compiled our wish list into a seventeen page document. Implementing several principles of Feng
Shui in the design was a priority for us. According to Terah Kathryn Collins, author of The
Western Guide to Feng Shui, Feng Shui is "the study of how to arrange your environment to
enhance the quality of your life." It is the ancient art of placing external items in a pattern that
fosters inner harmony and reflects our desires. Different elements, colors, and objects draw and
repel certain energies. In our other homes, we followed her advice and were amazed at the
results. With the dome, we even placed the pilings according to their colors. Because I could
only find square baqua maps in the books, I contacted Ms. Collins about the Dome of a Home
project and she was kind enough to create a baqua map for my round home.
Jonathan said he was open to learning about Feng Shui and was willing to let Mark be a cocreator
with him on the design of the Dome of a Home. Jonathan was creative and brilliant ---
both qualities that made him the best in the business, but also, well, temperamental at times. I
say that with the greatest love and humor. Jonathan would repeatedly say to Mark, “I hate your
idea, and you want to know why? Because I didn‟t think of it.” So the two of them bounced ideas
back and forth with stunning results.
With curves beckoning you to peek around the next bend, the house is enchanting and magical.
When people walk in the door, I want their response to be one of immediate relaxation, a
releasing of the tension in their shoulders, a peaked interest in their surroundings, and an overall
sense of well-being and peace to flood their souls. I believe we have successfully achieved this
goal. Children of all ages walk in the front door, look up, and then race around the first curved
wall to discover what awaits them. They continue the exploration until they have investigated
every nook and cranny. The curved spaces must be disconcerting because at least eight out of
ten guests find themselves turned around and lost at some point. I think it adds to the magic. All
that is missing are the secret passageways and hidden rooms of my childhood imaginings.
35

My adult wish list included bedrooms arranged for maximum privacy and a kitchen area
expansive enough to accommodate a large group of people. We wanted the master bedroom to
be designed as a sanctuary, not just a bedroom, but a true getaway. As a result, the entire
upstairs is the master suite. The rooms are spacious enough to accommodate a king size bed,
two couches, two chairs, reading areas, a wet bar, a hot tub, and a loft area with a queen size
bed.
Every man's dream of a huge garage is fulfilled by the 2000 square foot space underneath the
dome. Because we are on the beach, the home has to be elevated. Usually, pilings are placed
in a 10 foot grid underneath the houses, but the dome's design has 16 pilings around the
perimeter of the dome. Except for the elevator shaft, a clear space exists to use as a party area,
garage area, and outdoor kitchen. The walls in this area are painted in murals by a local artist,
Thomas Jackson. From the party space, the outdoor swimming pool and hot tub are only steps
away. A great way to have fun in the sun and shade!
Serenity by the Sea is a magic castle in the sand.
“Z” IS FOR VISIONARY
We miss our friend, Jonathan, who succumbed to cancer in 2005. In a bizarre twist of fate, we
were scheduled to fly to Jonathan‟s memorial on the day Hurricane Dennis hit Pensacola Beach.
I can‟t describe how ironic it felt to cancel the trip to the memorial of our friend because we were
preparing his “child” for yet another storm. I know he was an anxious architect as he waited for
Hurricane Ivan to make landfall the previous year. But, would his perspective be different now he
had passed over? I hoped he had “inside information” and would keep this “child” of his safe.
Since we would not be attending the memorial service, we wrote our tributes to be read at the
service. As a glimpse of the continuing synchronocities that signal milestones reached, I include
them below.
36

VALERIE
A Tribute to our Friend
Jonathan Zimmerman
Jonathan, my dear friend, when we discussed the hurricane resistant
properties of a dome, I had no idea that we would be putting your dome to
the test so quickly, nor so often. Do you think Mother Nature is cranky
because we dared challenge her strength? (ha, ha)
I am so grateful to you for so many things. Foremost, I love you for making
me laugh.
I loved laughing with you because you made me laugh at myself; made me
laugh with you, even when I really wanted to scream in frustration. Thank
you for sharing your heart with us.
I was inspired when you talked about your daughters. Never had I heard a
father enjoy his children as much as you did. Laughing about the joys of
parenthood was always my favorite past time with you.
Well, you did it, Jonathan. You created a star! “Talkitecture” has become
talked about architecture. Serenity by the Sea, aka Dome of a Home, has
reached envious notoriety in her very young life. She is only just turning
two and has made her debut literally across the world. Her beauty has been
portrayed in print media from Saudi Arabia and around the globe; she has
been filmed for programs in the UK, Canada, and Germany; nationally,
she has been on the Weather Channel, Good Morning America, MSNBC news,
National Geographic, Discovery, Keith Olberman Countdown, Joe
Scarborough Country. The list goes on and on.
This is a tribute to you, Jonathan. There are numerous domes out there,
but none as famous or as beautiful as yours. You created a beautiful work
of art and I am so glad the world appreciates her.
But, anyone that knows you, knows that the truly beautiful creations you
are most proud of are Jane and Tegan. You beamed when you spoke of
them. Never have I seen a heart so full of love as yours for your girls. I love
that about you!
You are a beautiful Soul, my friend. Forever I will hold you dear.
Until we meet again,
Valerie
MARK:
37

Last night we were supposed to be on an airplane, to pay our respects to our
good friend, and architect in our project, Jonathan Zimmerman. He passed
away last month. Instead we're preparing for the onslaught of yet another
hurricane. But my heart and mind stays focused on my friend and the
times we shared together and the man that he is.
Jonathan was very passionate about his work, about life in general, but
mostly about his girls. I mean, when he talked about his girls there was so
much pride in his voice. You can tell that he considered his girls his
crowning achievement in life.
He was so proud of his daughters.
His work speaks for itself. I always considered him the Frank Lloyd Wright of
the dome building industry, even though he gave me grief about it. His
work and his designs stood head and shoulders above any other work that
I've seen in the dome industry. I feel extremely honored to have had the
opportunity to work with him, to collaborate with him. To create the
amazing home that Jonathan and I produced has been a high point in my
life. This would have never been possible without Jonathan. No one else
caught my vision of what I was trying to do like Jonathan did. He took my
vision of a penguin and gave it the wings of an eagle.
His genius caused the project to soar. The beauty in his design was an
inspiration to me.
He was the only thing that kept me going sometimes, when the project got
really rough.
Jonathan, I love you, I will always hold you dear to my heart. Please know
that you've had a profound influence in my life. Thank you so much for
sharing your life with me.
And I know my friend, we will meet again. Thank you so much.
I remember Mark telling Z from Day One that this house was going to be famous and featured in
media across the globe. Z always cynically responded by reminding Mark how many times he
had heard that empty promise. “Z” said that was just “talkitecture” and he was interested
architecture. But, Mark held to his vision and the vision has manifested magnificently.
Before Jonathan crossed over, I asked him to contact me after he made the transition. Not
putting much stock in my request, he reluctantly agreed to communicate if possible. A few
months later, I was at a “Messages from Beyond” gathering when Sharon Renae, the medium,
shared these words with the audience: Z (which is what everyone called him), architect, San
Francisco – where he was living, round building, and he says “he is pleased.” I was elated to
know that Jonathan knew his daughter had married and was aware of Serenity‟s media
successes.
When it became apparent that Hurricane Dennis‟ arrival and Jonathan‟s memorial service were
scheduled on the same day, I called on Jonathan for a favor. I knew from the previous
“Messages from Beyond” session that Z was fully aware of the storm bearing down on Serenity. I
38

asked him to split his energy between the service and the dome. I pleaded with him to protect
her and to ask the angels to line up and deflect any debris that would scar her beautiful
countenance.
Obviously, he granted my request, because Serenity was serenely waiting for us to return after
the storm abated. I felt like there was a passing of the torch that day. I can‟t get my brain around
the significance of it all just yet. But, I know in my heart it was another milestone in this
adventurous journey we call Life!
39

The home truly exceeds my wildest imagination.
9 SERENITY BY THE SEA
I have christened her "Serenity by the Sea". So named because when I enter her domain, I feel
serenity and peacefulness instantly wash over me. Our desire was to build a refuge from the
storms of life. With her gentle embrace and solid support, Serenity offers a haven to view the
world differently; to slow down and take a deep breath; to be grateful for the incredible beauty that
surrounds you. Her effect on people is becoming predictably palpable: widening eyes; gaping
mouths becoming a smile; a spin around to get a good look; and a burst of laughter. She sets
your heart free to discover the joy of thinking out of the box. Every time I walk into Serenity by the
Sea, I am overwhelmed with awe at her beauty.
When I shared her name with my husband, he wanted to know how I knew it was a female.
Obvious to me, look at those curves! With a gracefulness that defies the pictures, the stairs
welcome you to the most peaceful place in Paradise. With her embracing arms guiding you into
the heart of the home, Serenity offers a safe harbor. An ambiance that defies expression
envelopes her visitors as they explore the fantastic features hiding around the curved walls.
Pictures are a poor substitute for an actual visit; they cannot capture the energy that transforms
Serenity‟s guests into Alice in Wonderland.
Hurricane Ivan, 2004, ripped the stairs from the dome – they were not structurally attached and
performed exactly as designed. I missed the staircase desperately. With amputated arms,
Serenity by the Sea lost her ability to embrace the visiting guests. I was deeply distressed by
Serenity‟s wounds. One of my happiest days is when the stairs were rebuilt and we could once
again glide up them and into core of our peaceful domain.
The stairs were
repaired before the
2005 storm season
began. So with horror
gripping our hearts,
we watched the first
storm of the season,
Arlene, approach.
Reconstruction had
begun on Pensacola
Beach in earnest.
Construction debris,
dumpsters, FEMA
trailers, and
construction lumber
supplies were literally
everywhere. I had
visions of floating
dumpsters acting as
battering rams beating
Serenity‟s arms until
they were just stubs; of lumber lifted by heavy winds and projected through our windows; and of
construction debris swirling in a maelstrom of demented destruction. Fortunately, Tropical Storm
Arlene was little more than a common thunderstorm. But, a month later Hurricane Dennis
powerfully made landfall at our beach. In the days preceding the storm‟s arrival, I called the
companies that owned the numerous dumpsters lining our street requesting they move the
40

dangerous boats of debris. Not a single company responded – it was extremely frustrating to
realize that all of our work could be negated yet again because no one would take responsibility
for the hazardous material on their lots. I wasn‟t as worried about the storm itself as I was about
the potential human induced destruction. I found it utterly incomprehensible that there was no
plan in place to address these very obvious issues. Most residents were still fighting with the
insurance companies over Ivan‟s claims. Now, we were going to have more damage than was
necessary because there was no plan in place to remove dumpsters, construction materials,
debris piles and FEMA trailers. (Post Katrina note: I can‟t say I am still surprised that FEMA did
not have a contingency plan for their trailers)
We prepared the house for Hurricane Dennis‟ arrival with the rote movements of activities
repeatedly practiced over the last decade.
Letter to Serenity by the Sea
I wrote this letter as I was preparing Serenity for yet another storm. Hurricane
Dennis, 2005, was bearing down on us as we stumbled around in disbelief.
Again??? The preparation was particularly heart wrenching because we were
missing the memorial service of Serenity’s architect, Jonathan Zimmerman. Instead
of flying to California, we were in Florida battening down the hatches.
I was vacuuming – don’t ask – when I was overwhelmed with love for this dome that
is so much more than a home. I began to cry and in my anguish I wrote this letter.
A peace descended upon me as I surrendered to the wisdom of trusting the process.
July 9, 2005
My Dear Sweet Serenity,
As we once again prepare you to face Mother Nature's fury, I want to share a moment with you. So we can
sit quietly together, I filled you with a beautiful sounds of peaceful music instead of the fearful rhetoric so
common on other channels.
I feel your Spirit of strength give me the courage to leave you alone to face the storm.
When people assume I want to stay only to protect my investment, they underestimate my love for you.
You're my child. Such intense labor pains, but such a beautiful creation. I really feel like we were only
midwives assisting the birth of a home destined to be.
Ironically, or maybe not so ironically, today is the memorial service for Jonathan Zimmerman, the architect
that designed you. Last month, he succumbed to cancer. We were scheduled to be in San Francisco today
to pay our respects. Instead, we're preparing you, his creation, to do what you were designed to do: not to
compete with Mother Nature, but to work with her.
I have asked Jonathan to stand guard to protect you. Yes, I believe you have a guardian angel now. So, you
really won't be weathering the storm alone. Jonathan will be here with you. I asked Granny and Grandpa to
show up, too. So, I think you will not be quite so lonely. No partying. I do worry about that, you know. I mean,
the lonely part, not the partying.
Serenity, I want you to know how deeply you're loved. Hundreds and hundreds of people tell us how much
they love you, how you are their favorite house, how they drove miles and miles just to see you, how much
41

fun they had vacationing with you. You even had guests from the UK fly all the way to Florida just to play the
guitar and to resonate with your music.
You are a celebrity. How many people can boast of your media success in less than two years' time? The
media from Saudi Arabia, the UK, Canada, Germany, and the United States has placed your picture across
the globe, quite literally. You made your debut in so many venues: the Weather Channel, the Travel
Channel, National Geographic, MSNBC news, Countdown with Keith Olbermann, Scarborough Country,
Discovery Channel, Good Morning America, ABC news, Fox news, and the list goes on. I know Jonathan
watches and is so proud of how well you handle yourself.
Anyway, I just want to tell you that we and a lot of other people love you dearly. I love you dearly. We are all
with you in Spirit. You have been an inspiration to be many, including us.
Love,
Valerie
42

10 TO HURRICANE HELL AND BACK
THE ULTIMATE ROLLERCOASTER
The emotional rollercoaster sits ready at the gate to once again raise us to new heights, only to
plunge us to deeper depths. The familiar butterflies fluttering in my stomach signal the
anticipation of the unknown. I do believe those butterflies have taken up permanent residence.
At least they have a permanent residence – unlike so many of my neighbors along the Gulf coast.
The déjà vu is not a mystery, nor an unexplainable phenomenon. Twelve years ago, Mark and I
moved to Pensacola Beach. Dreams of retiring on the beach and raising our children in its small
community created the eager anticipation I felt then. Nine storms later, the anticipation I feel is
far from eager, it is
dread. I am becoming
familiar with the
emotional cycles of
being a repeat
hurricane survivor.
Too familiar. The
stages for me go
something like this:
First stage: Storm
season approaches
and I hold my breath,
praying that the storm
god will exact his
vengeance elsewhere. Or even better yet, that he has no vengeance in him this summer. As
hurricane season approached last month, I could feel the anxiety level rising within myself. I think
all of us who have weathered the storm, so to speak, feel the stress as forecasters predict a
powerful, devastating storm season. And the waiting…. Even when there is no storm, I wait. I
worry while I wait to have something to worry about. Neurotic? Yes, but it seems to be a
common occurrence among my coastal neighbors. Even if the storm doesn't make a direct hit on
our homes, our bodies are pumped full of adrenaline each and every time a named storm is in the
Gulf of Mexico.
Sometimes I want to succumb to the depression I feel when I realize how intensely our lives have
been affected by hurricanes. Nine storms in twelve years, I think - some years they all seem to
run together.
Second stage: A storm is in the Gulf and its path is unknown. My quick glances at the
perpetually playing Weather Channel silently beg for a prediction cone that completely ignores
the Alabama/Florida coastline. The insensitive prediction cone ignores my pleading and includes
Pensacola Beach. The strength expected upon landfall is unknown, so we prepare for the worst.
Actually, we (coastline residents) always have to prepare for the worst. There are so many
unknowns; being prepared is not only for the Boy Scouts. If we prepared for a minimal storm and
it gained in strength and speed, the meager preparations would be pointless. If we prepare for an
intense storm and it exhausts itself before landfall, we gratefully count our blessings as we
remove our shutters and take the generators back to storage.
Third stage: With the intensity of the last two years' storms, a community panic sets in, creating
the need to prepare for the preparations. Ten years ago, I did not need to buy barrels and barrels
of gasoline or gallons and gallons of water as soon as a tropical depression was detected in the
Gulf. Now, food, water, and gasoline literally disappear before my eyes. Who knew David
Copperfield, master magician, was performing at the local Wal-Mart?
43

I wake up one morning and the Weather Channel has definitive projections on the size, strength,
and predicted place of landfall. I rub the sleep from my eyes, thankful for my last night of real rest
until this nightmare ends. I call my favorite weather man, Jim Cantore, ask him to pinch me and
tell me it's not real, to go back to sleep, that I'm just having a bad dream. Adrenaline replaces my
grogginess with alertness as Jim says to get prepared. By now, preparations are routine. I
always want to be completely "ready" at least 24 hours in advance…just in case it doesn't follow
the Weather Channel's predictions and decides to speed up.
"Completely ready." What a concept. I never really thought about it until I typed that sentence.
How can a person be "ready" to have his/her life completely turned upside down for the next few
years? Can a person pre-prepare to be psychologically thrown into such turmoil? Although the
storm lasts days, the devastation is interminable.
Fourth stage: As I carry the lawn furniture upstairs, help Mark tape the windows, decide how far
we will travel, and load up the cars, my consciousness recedes with the rote behavior. The action
actually is comforting, better than the inactivity of waiting. The procedures are so mechanical by
now, I feel detached from their implications. Detachment. It can be your friend or your enemy, but
necessary for me if I am to survive the perpetual storm cycles.
The calm before the storm. I never understood that axiom until I moved to Pensacola Beach. The
gathering forces of the hurricane suck the humidity off of the beach, leaving a beautiful, clear day
and an exquisitely star filled night. As the storm draws nearer, bands of clouds approach, swirling
against the still blue sky. Within several hours, I know the gentle breeze will begin gusting; the
gently lapping waves will morph into lashing walls of water eroding the protective strip of sand
that separates my house from the ocean; and the sky will darken with threatening storm clouds.
When the beach is in its beautiful "calm before the storm" stage, I can barely get my brain around
the fact that just miles from the beach a monster swirls in a ravenous rage, ready to once again
devour my life as I know it. Before I evacuate, I sit on the beach, gazing around, drinking in the
beauty; knowing full well that this could be the last time the beach looks this way. I ride my
bicycle around the island, waving to neighbors, stopping to discuss evacuation plans with friends,
sharing hugs and wishes that all will be well when we return. Despair and hope linger in the
atmosphere. Many of us have done this many times. Veterans. You'd think we would know
better by now and just bail. All I can say is that it is not as easy as it seems.
Fifth stage: Evacuating the beach evokes a myriad of emotions. Being forced from my home
sends my emotions through their own tumultuous storm. Not that I want to stay, I don't. But, the
powerlessness I feel in regards to the impending storm is magnified by the mechanical voice of
the local officials announcing the mandatory evacuation through their bullhorns. Poignant
memories assail me. Love and laughter with friends and family; the blood, sweat, and tears of
remodeling and rebuilding repetitively; breathtaking sunsets; bicycle rides with friends; solitary
walks on a foggy beach; a pregnant full moon rising from the ocean's depths, the light
shimmering brilliantly as the waves bring the reflection ashore. Wonderful memories I cherish.
Encroaching on the Kodak moments are the gut-wrenching memories of returning after a storm to
find our home wounded and wet, inside and out. I am nauseous as I mentally review the trauma
of displacement; of my neighbors and friends being scattered across the region; of living like a
refugee for months on end; of fighting the frustrating battle with the insurance companies; of not
being able to locate reputable labor to begin repairs; of knowing that even if we manage to make
the repairs, we could be doing it all again next year.
Sixth stage: The storm strikes. I am watching the news coverage constantly --- to the uninitiated
that means I have evacuated far enough away to not be affected by power outages. My veteran
status has taught me that much. I see no need to brutalize myself by living through the storm and
the immediate aftermath. If I have repairs to make, I need to be as refreshed as possible, not
suffering from heat exhaustion. When the storm strikes the beach, the residents cannot
immediately return to their properties. We must wait for the officials to open the bridges and
44

arrange for transportation to the neighborhoods. Frustration is inevitable, but rather than
frantically pace in a hot, humid self-imposed prison, I choose to enhance my emotional well-being
by resting in an air-conditioned place complete with amenities. Instead of aimlessly pacing, I surf
the internet eager for the first trickling of pictures and reports. The Pensacola News Journal does
the community a wonderful service by allowing anyone to post digital pictures of the area on its
web site. I also have angels on line who converse with me on our web site's forum.
www.domeofahome.com I cannot express how much their supportive comments boost my
morale.
Seventh stage: The storm has dissipated and now we assess the damage. In horror, we try to
absorb the mangled messes we see. We need to report back to our friends about the status of
their homes. After an interminable excursion of two miles to our home, we give our home a
cursory once over from outside. Doors, windows, any breaches in the structure? Landscaping
and the pool are expected casualties once again. No surprises there. It's time to find a way into
the home. Did the ladder we left for re-entry get swept away? That's a yes. Okay, let's find an
orphaned ladder somewhere in this debris and get into the house. The humid heat is sweltering,
and the sun's intense light focuses onto our unwelcoming backs. Let's get into the house and
drink some of that water I collected during the preparation stage. We manage to get into the
house, turn up our noses at the distinct smell of an abandoned beach house, and douse
ourselves inside and out with water. We look around, make a general list of immediate concerns,
and tell ourselves it could be much worse. It is definitely lemonade time. We count our blessings
and fret over how much worse it could have been. We have to take the lemons and make
lemonade. We have to – it is vital for our emotional survival. Somehow the situation seems less
daunting when we compare it to what could've been.
After resting a bit at the house, we walk the neighborhoods with pen in hand. Some neighbors
have traveled hundreds of miles and won't be back for a while. We need to report to them; the
unknown is the worst. You can't make a game plan until you know what needs to be done. And
having a game plan is also an essential element of emotional survival. What I find interesting and
disturbing is that I can pass by a damaged home for months and not really see it. Then, one day,
I am walking by and I actually see the ruined building. I am shocked that I hadn't noticed before.
My theory is that I can only absorb so much devastation at one time. As I digest my first helping,
more information can be assimilated.
Eighth stage: Weeks later,
the power is on and repairs
can begin in earnest. Well,
if we had our insurance
claim payment and could
find laborers, we could
begin. Frustration
overwhelms us as we want-
no need - to start the repair
process, yet cannot. At this
point, I am usually ready to
bail out. I have had enough,
I am ready to sell and could
care less if I never see a
beach again in my life. I am
in the middle of a nervous
breakdown and am ready to
hide from it all. I want to run
away and never return. I
want it to be a chapter in a
book that I incinerate. I cannot keep doing this, it is absolutely insane. What the bleep do we
think we are doing? I am so traumatized that I am numb….almost. Not quite detached enough to
be obliviously unaware of my fragile state of mind.
45

Finally the repairs begin. A wide grin splits my face as I drive up to the Dome and see her
skeletal arms in place. I do know the intense relief I feel directly correlates to the implied
symbolism of the staircases' embracing arms. I can feel the whispery touch of her delicate arms.
Her energy and strength are increasing daily. With the frame in place for the fountain's pool, I
easily sense the fountain's eagerness to gurgle her greeting once again. Whatever it is, I am just
thrilled to experience optimism about the prospects of rebuilding. I am grateful the repairs have
begun, restoring some of my faith that this, too, shall one day be finished. Ridiculous? My
imagination? Sentimental sap? Possibly.
For months, it has been an interminable wait. Frustration permeates every aspect of rebuilding
from insurance claims to mortgage companies to construction crews. If patience is built under
such circumstances, I must be a very difficult case, indeed.
The lows are very low; but I do treasure and am especially grateful for the achievements made.
And if something had to be replaced, Mark was glad it was the stairs. They were one of the few
aspects of the home that Mark was not satisfied with in the end. He had envisioned broader,
more sweeping stairs for the front entry. Now, he has the opportunity to build them the way he
has always wanted.
(He's such a perfectionist, so this will save me years of listening to him tell me how he would do it
differently. So, another aspect to be grateful for. �)
Although, we still have much on our 'to do' list to bring the Dome of a Home back to its original
condition, progress is being made. Amazing what a psychological difference it makes to be
moving forward. Last month, I was ready to sell, sell, sell. Now, I am convinced I want to stay.
The water has been beautiful, the skies clear, and the beach beckons me. The true test is
whether my mental state will make it intact through another hurricane season. As the old axiom
says, "Time will tell."
The fountain is flowing! The melodies cascading from the fountain immerse us once again in its
music. I didn't realize how very much I missed the soothing sound of Serenity's joy bubbling over.
The water revitalizes and rejuvenates us. I guess that is the balance of Nature. Sometimes the
water depletes us when her energy is destructive. Yet, the same element has the potential for
renewal. It‟s the yin and yang, quite literally the ebb and flow of nature.
The house begins to show its beauty once again. The repairs become improvements, and I
become attached once again to my home. The better it looks, the better I feel. When normalcy
reappears, so does my desire to stay. I fall in love with the beach again and beg the water to let
me visit her instead of her coming to my home. And in the deep recesses of my soul, there is a
seed of hope. A fragile flower lifting her face to the sun, my hope blossoms into a desire to
remain a resident on Pensacola Beach. I fertilize my hope by counting my blessings and
verbalizing why I am grateful to live on the beach. Before long, I am determined to stay. Again.
Ninth stage: Which brings me to the stage I currently find myself in: a mix of emotions so varied I
worry that I am in the worst stages of a multi-personality disorder. I am writing this in January
2006, sixteen months after Hurricane Ivan and less than a year since Hurricanes Dennis and
Katrina. I have the delusional hope that we may escape catastrophic damage this year, yet the
sense of dread has taken up residence in my gut once again. I love the improvements to the
house, and I do not want to move away from my community and friends. But, acknowledging that
we could be making the same repairs a year from now is distressing. So, it's a hope against
hope kind of day. My fellow islanders reassure me that we couldn't have another year like the
last two. Says who? Their denial mirrors my own. Yet, their seed of hope combines with mine to
create a fragrant bouquet of the lemons we will one day be making into lemonade.
46

SURVIVOR OR VICTIM
As Katrina looms in the Gulf, I add yet another story to our ever expanding book. If Katrina strikes
as the monster she presents herself to be, the emotional trauma and scars will be evident long
after the waters have receded. When people finally understand they may not have a home any
longer and all of their memories have been washed away, their initial gratitude for just surviving
plummets into a deep grief. Grief for the friends you will no longer see on a daily basis; grief for
the inability to have your support system near you in your greatest time of need; grief for the loss
of your job; grief for the loss of mementos and pictures that have personal intrinsic value; grief for
the life that will never be again because you are irrevocably changed.
And the thought that there are people without transportation to leave the city has me mortified. I
am in a deep state of sorrow for the upcoming victims of this storm. It should be a human right to
have a way to escape an oncoming storm that gives us several days notice.
Even this afternoon on Pensacola Beach, water was rising significantly. After Ivan, there was a
set of construction posts that hadn't been seen in decades uncovered. Hurricane Dennis covered
them up last month. Early this afternoon, they were uncovered half way again. So, we are
definitely expected some storm waters to flow over the island --- yet again.
I am tired, stressed, and worried for my neighbors and friends. I know the Dome will fare as well
as any structure out there, but I am sad to see my neighborhood become a debris pile yet again.
It's a week since Katrina irrevocably altered time. I feel the same residue of despair in my heart
as I did when 9/11 happened. It‟s a deep knowing that life will never be the same again, for any of
us. I am aware that for many, time becomes relevant only in BK and AK. Katrina will divide their
lives into Before Katrina and After Katrina. Ivan's reign as the event that defined my time was
short-lived. Less than a year actually, who would have thought?
47

The incomprehensible
situation continues to
compound. From the lack of
food and water; levees
breaking; anarchy terrorizing
the victims even further;
deteriorating sanitation
conditions; putrid stagnating
water; deceased victims
absent of burials; to the slow
response time of federal aid,
the situation becomes ever
graver. Survivors of the
actual hurricane must now
survive the aftermath.
Medication is running out for
many of the refugees; there
are reports of people still
trapped in their attics; the
unbearable heat facilitating the potential for diseases and deteriorating health conditions; and the
heart-rending decisions to separate families to expedite evacuation.
The scenes are reminiscent of a disaster movie. It's likely if we saw all of this occurring in a
movie, we would say, "It was over the top, too much, it could never be that bad." And like the
survivors in the movies, small groups of people banded together to increase their odds for
survival in a world gone mad. Some groups decided to strike out on their own to see if they could
fare better being active instead of waiting on an organized effort by the government.
While the logistics of organizing a relief effort seem insurmountable, Hurricane Katrina was not a
surprise. The government knew a storm was heading to the Gulf coast. Not just any storm, but a
Category 5 monster bent on stalking its prey. True, no one knew exactly where she was going to
strike, but there was a general location identified by hurricane watches and warning. And it was
painfully obvious the communities affected would need help. And quickly.
Forces should have been mobilized and readied well before landfall. They could have been
organized to respond wherever they were needed immediately after the storm subsided. It is not
a surprise that water, food, emergency personnel, and military support were required after Katrina
ripped through the coast. If, by some miracle, the disaster wasn't as extensive as anticipated,
then gratefully, the readied troops could return to their previous duties. Obviously, people and
supplies should have been ready to move ASAP to the affected areas.
A prominent politician recently stated, ""If we can't respond faster than this to an event we saw
coming across the Gulf for days, then why do we think we're prepared to respond to a nuclear or
biological attack?"
I guess that is what frightens me most – that the American public has been lulled into trusting that
our government has its act together. A complacency exists because we assume that the
government is organized and has a plan for catastrophic events. When the directors of FEMA and
Homeland Security state they didn't foresee the problems and they were unaware of the situation
in New Orleans (although the news networks spoke of little else), we, as the American public,
should be concerned about their abilities to lead and protect us in a time of crisis. Thankfully,
many men and women are helping where they see a need, instead of waiting for orders that may
never come.
I salute the troops, emergency personnel, reporters, and volunteers who are, quite literally, in the
48

trenches helping in innumerable ways. I am especially grateful that people have a means to have
their voices heard and their stories told. MSNBC interviewed a therapist that said survivors need
to be able to tell their stories over and over again to help their healing process.
Hours upon hours I spend at my computer mesmerized by the human stories that are emerging
from the rubble. The spirit of the human species encourages me. Yes, there are stories of
anarchy and gunfire. But, there are stories of neighbors and strangers sacrificing themselves to
save another. A pregnant mother swims across dangerous waters to find help for her asthmatic
son – Her healthy child was born after her daring swim. A six year old boy takes his five siblings
and cousins by the hand and leads them to an evacuation bus after being separated from his
parents during a helicopter rescue. He is six and very successfully takes responsibility for a five
month old; a three year old; and three two-year olds. As the survivors emerge from the wreckage,
stories of the heart and of triumph are being heard. Heroes do what they can when they can.
Without a doubt, many will be unsung heroes with their stories unheard by the masses. Even so,
their open hearts and courage changed the world.
We are all now aware of the nightmare that was endured by those on the coast because of
Katrina's unbridled fury. It's been a year and I can't help but wonder if anything would be any
different if another storm of Katrina's mass were threatening the Gulf coast again. Would less
people be trapped, would evacuations be more organized, would there be a plan to evacuate
hospitals and nursing homes? We can only hope that lessons were learned and alterations were
made at the government levels. Will there be facilities that will accept all members of the families
evacuating (pets)?
I have read several stories about people who had to leave their pets, been fortunate enough to
find them again, but cannot convince the adopting family to return the pet. I understand that the
adopting family loves this animal they have adopted and obviously have big hearts to take in
abandoned animals. BUT, to keep an animal from a family who has lost everything seems ….
Well, let's just suffice to say: "Have some compassion, people!!!" The victims of the storm lost
their lifestyle, their jobs, their homes. their sense of security, etc. To have a member of their
family back would help restore some of what was lost.
A year later and we are still having survivors come to visit the Dome of a Home to see how it
withstood Hurricane Ivan's assault. Most of them were shocked at how devastated our beach
was a year after Ivan. You could see the light go off and then the despair creep across their
faces as they realized that even a year later, their lives would not be "put back together." The
realization dawning that it will take years to get back to normal (whatever that is) caused many to
burst into tears. Empathy for their heartbreak coupled with my own exhaustion resulted in a river
of tears being shed by all of us.
How do you survive? One second at a time. Eventually, you can survive a day at a time. Step by
step you rebuild your life, hoping that Mother Nature will give you a reprieve for a while.
After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, I heard a psychologist on the news explain that
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder doesn't really hit a person until eighteen months after the event.
Eighteen months? Well, hell, then I have PTSD on top of PTSD, on top of more PTSD. I don't
think we have gone more than 18 months without a storm affecting us on some level.
Well, let's see, 1994 Allberto; 1995 Erin, Opal; 1998 George; 2001 Isadore; 2004 Ivan; 2005
Arlene, Dennis, Katrina (surge affected us). There isn't enough time in between the storms to
fully go through the PTS cycle without having another heaped on. Curious, how does this work?
Do we finally get so overloaded that we no longer absorb anything else? Like a soaked sponge
unable and unwilling take on anymore? At least, I now have a diagnosis for my whacked out
feelings.
Finally, the 2006 Hurricane season is winding down. So far, none of the monster storms
predicted for this year has manifested. Relieved? Beyond belief! After a huge sigh of relief, I
49

ealize I have been holding my breath in fearful anticipation for the last several months. You
know what I mean. All of a sudden, you inhale a huge gulp of air, suddenly realizing you had
been starving yourself of oxygen for the last several moments. Being able to relax this summer
has enabled me to recharge my batteries from the constant stress of the previous years.
Living in a state of adrenaline is deadly. The sympathetic state is supposed to be a mechanism
for survival with an immediate fight or flight response. But, there is nothing immediate about a
hurricane. First, it is the watch and wait as the cone of prediction includes your place of
residence. Then, there are years of rebuilding, fighting with the insurance companies, and
waiting for the next storms to threaten.
What happens when we live in extended states of fearful flight or fight mode? We age
prematurely and become sick. Adrenaline doesn't allow the other systems to function properly:
digestion, immune response, reproduction, sleep processes and mental acuity all suffer when we
stay in the fight or flight mode. How do we combat months and months of stress with no end in
sight?
Find a method that will get you back in the parasympathetic state of being. The ways are as
varied as the situations people find themselves in. Whether it is meditation, prayer, weight
training, walking, support groups, hobbies, friends, movies or books, find a way to remember to
breathe!
I know all of this, and yet, I find that for the last several months I have been holding my breath.
I didn't grasp the full weight of the worry until I finally let myself believe that the season really is
going to be a quiet one. We actually went a year without storm preparation or repairs?!?!? When
all of the dire forecasts were being broadcast for the 2006 season, Mark said we wouldn't be hit
this year and not to worry. In the past 12 years, he hasn't ever been wrong. He called Erin and
Opal in 1995; Georges in 1998; Ivan in 2004; Dennis in 2005; and none for this year. From now
on, I am only going to become worried when Mark gets worried. I'll let him be my own personal
Weather Man. What can I do with all the energy I spent on worrying?
And time! All the "extra" time we have had to take care of things unrelated to hurricane repairs
has been very productive. Who knew? It's been so long since we have had a summer to do
something besides build or rebuild our home. I am working on revamping the web site. Mark
has been able to work on some projects the cabin desperately needed. And we have had time to
breathe a bit.
What I am trying to say is that a year and half later, we have good days and bad days. I'll be
going about my day and suddenly be overwhelmed with emotions. And our trauma was minimal
compared to many of my neighbors‟ experiences.
People wonder (and I am one of them), why we would be insane enough to do this over and over.
I don't know exactly. I can't whine for too long though, I get annoyed with myself rather quickly.
Also, it makes me feel like a victim. I prefer to think of myself as a survivor. And to help me
survive, I have a few rituals I perform.
For a nauseating moment, let's bring Pollyanna out of the closet. I have to do this from time to
time or else I will sink into the depression that threatens.
I remember that without the storms, the Dome wouldn't have had the instant visibility across the
globe. People would be less aware of building alternatives, whether it is a dome, Eco-block, or a
concrete building system.
I guess it is my desperate clinging to the idiom that 'everything happens for a reason.' Or that 'all
things can work for the best' ---- it‟s all about the perspective, seeing the flip side of the coin.
I ask myself occasionally: How am I a different person because of the repetitive storm strikes we
have experienced in the 12 years we have lived in Pensacola? .
50

I have learned to be mostly unattached to my physical items. Sentimental items are different.
But, losing my stuff in numerous storms taught me how quickly those things can be taken away.
If I allow my identity or security to be wrapped up in them, then I am screwed. There would be
nothing left of my identity by now. I won't pretend that I just say "Oh, well, it's just stuff." I grieve,
but I just try to stay on guard to not get stuck there. Sometimes I am successful, sometimes I am
not. Some days I can see the perfection in the web of life; some days I am convinced it is just a
tangled mess of chaos. The days when I am elated by my ability to trust the process, magic
happens.
For instance, the other day we were finally ready to have the landscaping and the pool installed.
The landscapers could come out quickly, but we needed to find a bobcat to ready the lot for the
pool. With a swiftness that stunned me, a bobcat appeared across the street. The operator said
his job had been delayed and we were welcome to use it for the next couple of days.
YEEESSSSS!!!! I love it when that happens. It‟s these times that remind me I should 'trust the
process' and it's going to be okay - I am going to be okay.
Recently, my granddaughter pointed out a book to me and said "Grandma, you should get that
book." I trusted her intuition and placed it upon my growing stack of books. That little angel
delivered some words of wisdom to me that I needed. In the introduction of this book was the
following gem:
"And no matter what we experience, we always have the free will to respond with love or with
fear. …rise above your fear based emotions and learn to experience life with unconditional
acceptance – without expectations, judgment, blame or the need to control others."
Dick Sutphen.
I am encouraged when things fall in place, when it seems like I am in the groove. The elation of
those times is the fuel for the battery that sustains me when the storms of life pummel me.
Staind's lyrics to FALLING remind me that I must pick myself up or allow myself to drown – but is
a choice only I can make.
… falling is easy it's getting back up that becomes the problem,
If you don't believe you can find a way out, you become the problem,
And if you believe can find a way out then you've solved the problem
This hurricane season, I am hoping and praying that there won't be any problems to solve. And if
there are, let's encourage each other to take it one moment at a time. Be strong for someone
and when you need someone to lean on, the favor will be returned.
Hurricanes are life changing events – period. A storm affects me down to my soul's core. After
the storms, I reevaluated my entire life, asking: what is essential to my well-being; what is a
restraint; what is worth saving and keeping in my life; what doesn't really matter in the whole
scheme of things; what do I value and why? Examining my life helps me to heal, to find purpose
in the madness, and to make sense out of the senseless.
But, for a community to heal, both emotionally and physically, the need for decisive and clear
direction from our leaders, is imperative. Those directly involved with the storm are in shock and
suffer from post traumatic stress. We need to remember that local officials are not immune to the
stress. We have to have compassion for our officials and remember that they are humans who
are traumatized – just like we are. I can't imagine having to make decisions for my family and
everyone else's too. When my kids are frightened and scared, I remember that the officials'
families need reassurance, as well. So many demands in so many directions, how do they do it?
Everyone's entire world is turned upside down and all parameters of normalcy have dissipated in
the rising winds. I am not pointing fingers or placing blame at anyone's feet. It's unfair to insist
that the local officials should have known what to expect. Today, they'd know what to expect.
Hindsight is a valuable tool. But, at the time of Hurricane Katrina, the local leaders' personal lives
51

and the lives of their constituents faced complete annihilation with a natural disaster the size of
Katrina. How do you prepare for the unfathomable?
Obviously, at the state and federal levels: where the command stations are not threatened by
rising water and relentless wind; where food, water, fuel, and shelter are not an issue; where
difficult decision making is not complicated by personal tragedy; and where dependable
communication centers can disperse information. The magnitude of coordination needed for a
natural disaster of Katrina's
caliber was
incomprehensible. No one
wanted to believe such
tragedy could occur. This
tragedy had been imagined
by FEMA officials, scientists,
meteorologists, etc. The
scenario had been portrayed
in various magazines and
programs. The big What If.
Yet, no one could believe.
The inability to grasp what
was needed to prepare for
Hurricane Katrina increased
the tragedy factor. Now, the
pertinent question is: If there
was a repeat performance
this year, would the outcome
be any different.
It is vital that our local emergency personnel have:
� A place that is safe and secure to coordinate local efforts at the site of the disaster.
� A place that is pre-stocked for a disaster - natural or man-initiated.
� A place that is Base of Operations.
� A place that has been pre-determined to be safe, available, and ready with all necessary
supplies and equipment to handle an emergency effectively.
� A place that is a haven for the officials and personnel needed to re-establish the
infrastructure after the disaster.
� A place that is home away from home, an office away from the office, a station away from
the station.
� And those places should be a concrete monolithic dome.
A dome would allow the necessary personnel to have enough confidence in the physical structure
to be able to focus on their coordination efforts, without having to fear that they will unnecessarily
be placing their lives at risk to do their jobs. Domes have proven themselves to be the safest
structure available when faced with earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and radiation
fallout.
Evacuation shelters should be able to shelter the public from the threat outside. Many storm
shelters could not withstand a Category 5 hurricane or F-5 tornado. The result is a large number
of people gathered in one unsafe place – a potential mass grave. Why not give tax credits to
businesses, churches and schools that build monolithic domes that can be used as an evacuation
shelter? Not only will they have a cost effective, energy friendly building, they also receive a
reward for their efforts. I grew up in Texas and was always terrified when the tornado warnings
were issued. If I had known that the school's gymnasium was a "safe building" dome, my anxiety
would have been considerably less acute.
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As I edit this book, I find there is even more information to include. Last week, March 1, 2007, a
tornado destroyed a school complex in Enterprise, Alabama. Lives were unnecessarily lost. Mark
and I traveled to Enterprise the day after and spoke with some students who explained that many
people flocked to the new gymnasium because it was built to be stronger than the older gym.
After the storm abated, it became evident the old gym was the better survivor. The churches
located directly next to the school also suffered severe damage. The destruction left me in
shocked despair. A dome gymnasium and churches would have provided safe shelter not only
for those at the school, but for the surrounding neighborhood residents as well. With community
dome safe shelters, there would be no question where to run to when a severe weather alert is
issued. Tragedy that can be averted is the worst kind of tragedy.
Hurricane Katrina caught the
attention of the entire nation
with its surreal drama. At
times I almost believed I was
watching a B-movie on the
Sci-Fi Channel, but then the
human element would pierce
the numbing hurricane
statistics. Numbing because I
could not absorb what I was
hearing - could not believe the
stark reality of the disaster.
I am relieved to see that the
news media is still covering
these tragedies six months
later. Lately, I have seen
several programs discussing
better building techniques using better building materials. This is encouraging and exactly the
point Mark and the NBC news crew were trying to make when they stayed in the Dome of a
Home for Hurricane Ivan. The lessons from the past two hurricane seasons do not need to be so
easily forgotten, so easily dismissed. This is a story that has far reaching implications
economically, socially, politically, etc.
While I am on my soapbox, I would like to encourage our legislatures to reign in the insanity of
the insurance debacle that is bankrupting businesses and creating homeless families. The wind
insurance argues that it was flood damage; the flood insurance company insists it was wind
damage. And while they argue, the client lives in limbo or worse. Months go by, no money to
make repairs so that you can move back home. In short, this is what happens:
� Storm hits, your home is damaged, find a place to live temporarily.
� File an insurance claim so that you can make repairs and move back home.
� Wind insurance denies claim, flood damage blamed.
� Flood denies claim, says to contact wind insurance company.
� Home deteriorates even further.
� More and more extensive repairswill be needed because it has been so long since the
storm and you have no money for repairs.
� Bank accounts dwindle as you pay your mortgage on a damaged home, your rent on the
temporary space, and (love this one) the next year's premiums for your wind and flood
insurance. I want to scream at them, "Just take my premiums out of the claim you owe
me. I can't pay the premiums until you pay my claim."
� Still waiting on insurance claims to be paid, and the new hurricane season is here.
53

This is ridiculous!!! We buy insurance as a safeguard. Supposedly, the insurance companies
work for us. Yeah, right. They have become like enemies. Our premiums are due on time or we
are dropped. Why don't the insurance companies have a designated time to pay or else be
required to pay exorbitant interest on the money they are withholding? After all, I am paying a
high interest rate on the money I have to borrow just to survive until the insurance companies pay
the claim. If they pay the claim….
And now, it is up to us to prove how and what affected our homes in a storm. Okay…. so we stay
and film the storm as proof or …. Or what? What exactly are our alternatives? This is beyond
belief: you have to prove whether it was wind or flood that took your house. It's no longer the
insurance companies' responsibility to determine this. So, the policyholder will have to have a
film or hire an engineer???
We need one insurance policy that covers our home. Period. This would eliminate the opposing
companies pointing the finger continuously at the other. This bickering makes money for the
insurance companies as our claims set in their accounts drawing interest. But, it bankrupts
families and businesses. Even if it is legal, it is morally wrong. Give us one company to deal
with. We are under enough stress without having to fight for what is owed to us. Hell, with the
stress this inflicts, they should be paying psychiatric care, too. We paid the premiums, insurance
companies should pay the claims in an expedient time frame.
And before you write about your tax dollars covering our damages, please realize that this is not
the case. It is a closed system ---only those who pay in are eligible to file claims. No one pays in
that isn't a policyholder. One-third of all people and businesses in the United States are located
in a flood zone. An average of 1000 people a day move to the United State's coasts. We need
viable building plans and community leadership as the population continues to expand into the
danger zones..
With each hurricane strike, the hurricane season seems longer and longer.
Each time we spend those six months repairing from the previous six months, the "off-season"
seems shorter and shorter. Inevitably, the off-season is filled with TV programs and magazine
articles about hurricanes past and what the future may hold. Sometimes, I watch them with
morbid fascination, other times it's too painful and I have to change the channel.
Evacuation and hurricane preparation are far different now for the residents in my area than when
I moved here 11 years ago. Gone is the complacency or illusion that it can't really be all that bad.
For days before the storm makes landfall, gasoline is difficult to find and water is a premium
commodity. Before Ivan, people prepared, but it was a more relaxed atmosphere. Now, it feels
like everyone assumes that any hurricane will be another Ivan. I know I do. Much more
trepidation is attached to the tropical storm season for me now than before 2004's Hurricane Ivan.
The post traumatic stress was evident on the faces of Ivan's survivors as we prepared for
Hurricanes Dennis and Katrina less than a year later. Overwhelming despair and resignation
resonated from the people I passed. Blank stares or streaming tears met my somber gaze.
The outcome could be different, better or worse, on a large scale or on a very local level. The
decisions made today decide which outcome prevails. If you are rebuilding, is it another
"temporary structure" that will need rebuilding after another hurricane? Or will you utilize stronger,
better building techniques? Domes aren't the only answer. There are elements we used in
building the Dome of a Home that can be incorporated into conventional structures. The foam we
used can be used to increase a conventional structure's roof line and walls. When used as
insulation between the walls, other benefits include its inability to absorb water and promote the
growth of mold and mildew and its superior energy efficiency. We are watching a superb
structure being built on Pensacola Beach by the Elks Lodge. It is all concrete – even the walls!
They are being put together like a 3-D puzzle.
54

Although our counties are now supposed to be following Miami-Dade codes, I have never seen in
Miami the type of structures I am seeing built on Pensacola Beach. There is actually a house
being built a few blocks down from us that is using particle board floor joists. Insanity. Soffits are
still being built into homes on our beach. Why include a feature in a home that is guaranteed to
cause water damage inside of a house? When we were in Miami, absolutely no wood, much less
particle board, was being used in any of the construction of homes or businesses along the coast.
Concrete construction was all we saw in our miles and miles of driving along the coast.
And while we are encouraged by some of the new structures on Pensacola Beach, it is clear that
the public needs to demand stronger and safer structures from our builders. It is unlikely the
necessary changes will occur unless consumers use the power of the dollar to force sensible
improvements.
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11 WHAT HAVE WE LEARNED
Ever notice how the smallest of choices, or what you perceive to be non-important decisions, can
irrevocably change your life? Opening the mail in March 2001 seemed to be one of those
non-events, until my husband decided to go through the “throw away stack” of junk mail. We had
received a letter from the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program informing us of our eligibility to
submit a grant proposal if we were interested in mitigating further flood damage to our home. If
accepted, the grant would provide funds to elevate our existing house so it would more effectively
resist further flood damage. But, our concrete block house was not a candidate for elevation so
we would have to submit a grant proposal to build a new structure. I threw the letter away
because it seemed like too much trouble. As I am the paperwork guru in the house, I wasn‟t
eager to wade through the inevitable red tape required to create and submit a grant proposal.
But, my husband thought it warranted further investigation.
And as they say, “The rest is history.”
After two years of blood, sweat, and tears of pain and joy, the Dome of a Home (aka Serenity by
the Sea) was born. Labor pain is a very accurate synonym of the building process: pain,
frustration, tears, fears, and times when I believed the painful process would never end
dominated during the “contract”ions. But, ultimately, in the end there was joy that the house was
complete and we had survived.
Escaping to Montana for a couple of months gave us a much needed break from the stress of
construction. We returned to the dome with fresh eyes and rejuvenated hearts - finally able to
appreciate what the last two years of work had produced. The constant litany of approval from
passers-by as they expressed their appreciation for the diligence and fortitude required to build
the dome was gratifying. Many said they had been concerned about the aesthetics of the dome
and were very pleasantly surprised at its beauty. I was relieved. Our neighbors had trusted and
supported us when the Santa Rosa Island Authority requested we acquire letters of support from
them. Our desire to create a home that added to the aesthetic quality of the neighborhood and
We have was appreciated for what she was had been fulfilled.
is that we must educate ourselves.
56
We learned so much from the
experience. First and
foremost, I learned trash
should stay trash and it should
be immediately discarded
before hubby makes it home.
Seriously, the lessons learned
could fill the proverbial book of
do‟s and don‟ts. Our
experiences made the
necessity and importance of
being involved in the decision
making process crystal clear.
Trusting others to create your
dream is a major mistake,
even if they claim to be
professionals. Regardless of
degrees, licenses, promises,
and tall tales, the bottom line
With several storms under our belt by now, I am more convinced than ever that we made the right
decision when we bulldozed our previous home to build the Dome of a Home. I know that Ivan,
2004, would have definitely washed our home away, as it did several of our neighbors‟ homes.

Even with all of the heartache, tears of pain, and mountains of frustration, we are still glad we
took the leap and seized the opportunity to build a house more suitable for the beach.
However, we had a significant learning curve to endure. We have learned invaluable lessons
and discovered amazing products. We‟d like to share the most significant of those with you in
this chapter.
What we learned:
� We would hire a local contractor and sub-contract the building of the shell with a dome
contractor that would "blow and go".
� Get several bids to compare prices and services. The least expensive isn't always the
best deal, and the most expensive doesn't necessarily mean it is the best quality.
Interview extensively.
� Never, ever, ever pay your contractors the final draw before the work is complete.
� Never, ever pay the contractors ahead of schedule. Did I say that already? Well, it is the
most difficult lesson we learned and it bears repeating.
� Be aware that many estimates will be bid high just because the house is unusual, even if
the shape has no bearing on the work being done. We found two extremes: People who
would charge double just because it is a dome.
� And then there were those who were thrilled to work on the dome project in any capacity
for a reasonable fee.
� Definitely have your architect stay on the project at least until the openings are cut. Have
the architect approve the openings' positions before the contractor continues.
PRODUCTIVE PRODUCTS for ACHIEVING OUR GOALS
Throughout the construction of the home, from the pilings to the skylight, many of the products we
used are unprecedented in their application. The dome of a home is not only unique in its
outward appearance, even its skeletal framework is unusual. Primarily our goal was to discover
and employ products that would help protect the delicate balance of the barrier island.
DRIVEN DEEP: PILINGS
The dome of a home is not only unique in its outward appearance. Throughout the construction of
the home, from the pilings to the skylight, many of the products used are unprecedented in their
application. Protecting the delicate balance of the barrier island was our ultimate goal when we
selected the various products to use.
In keeping with the our desire to use new technologies that are more energy efficient and
environmentally benign than their predecessors, the pilings we chose were the Seaward's
Seapile Pilings.
With a home designed to physically last centuries, using wood or concrete pilings was
impractical. With a viability of decades, wood and concrete pilings would severely shorten the
lifespan of the home. Seaward International's SEAPILE pilings compliment the dome structure by
their longevity and environmentally-friendly characteristics.
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SEAPILE pilings are made of recycled and recycle-able composite materials. The SEAPILE
composite piling is made of plastic that has been structurally reinforced with fiberglass rebar,
making them impervious to corrosion, termites, and borers. Unlike chemically treated wood, the
SEAPILE piling does not leech chemicals into our environmentally sensitive beach. And unlike
concrete pilings, the SEAPILE does not begin to pit, allowing the rebar to corrode.
www.seaward.com
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The SEAPILE piling is placed into the ground by conventional methods. Davis Marine
Construction jetted the sixteen pilings several feet into the ground and drove the pilings to grade
level outlining the perimeter for the future dome structure.
After the pilings were placed in an oval shape, a concrete ring beam was created. Steel rebar is
placed vertically around the ring beam footing and then the concrete is poured. Later in the
process, the embedded bars are used to join the concrete shell with the concrete ring beam.
Without a doubt, choosing Seaward's composite pilings was a genius move on my husband's
part. When Hurricane Ivan hit, our yard became a virtual quicksand pit. The entire house was
gently rocking, as evidenced by the tapping of pictures on my interior walls. Instead of cracking
or splitting like concrete or wood pilings might have done, the composite pilings easily handled
the stress and dispersed it.
INVISIBLE SEA WALLS
BALLOON
The Monolithic Dome Institute, ( www.monolithicdome.com ) fabricated the airform that became
our home's shell or frame. The Airframe is made of a very heavy PVC vinyl fabric whose seams
are sealed with microwaves. After being attached to the ring beam, the fans inflate the airform in
less than thirty minutes. The fans must run continually throughout the construction of the shell of
the dome. If the fans fail, the entire structure can collapse in a mere seven minutes.
The balloon was inflated on April 30, 2002. In those twenty minutes, the beach's landscape was
irrevocably changed. How often is a home framed in a matter of minutes? Our joy expanded in
proportion to the dome‟s inflation. This was the day we had been waiting for – building could truly
begin now. Being inside the inflated airform is somewhat overwhelming. The expansiveness is
belied by the exterior appearance.
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Once inside the inflated airform, the world becomes surreal. Sounds echo and reverberate.
Listening to music in the empty airform is a unique experience as it surrounds and reverberates
through you. Pink Floyd was our favorite choice of music to enjoy. In some parts of the dome, a
whisper is easily heard. In other areas, raised voices barely carry.
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The balloon created quite a stir on the beach. It made the front page of the Pensacola News
Journal several times. Most notoriously was the pumpkin face we cut into the shell for
Halloween. Ironically, where our finished openings would be located allowed us to carve a face
into the shell until the openings were more defined. However, we did have concerned citizens
that actually believed this was the final product. Hmmm….
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Each week hundreds of people drove, walked, biked, or rollerbladed past the house in progress.
The most common questions people asked were: is the home being built underneath the
balloon; why aren't they working on the dome, (not realizing that at this stage the work is being
done on the interior); how is the balloon removed; and of course, what is the cost.
Since completion, we still have hundreds of visitors pass by each week. I cannot imagine how
many photo albums The Dome of a Home is included in because every time I look out my window
cameras are snapping. We are grateful for all of the encouragement and support we have
received through the years. The Dome Home has been in several magazines, but one of our
favorites is the December 2006 Pensacola Magazine naming the Dome of a Home as one of the
“Local Landmarks That Shape Our City.”
EXTERIOR COATING
Aesthetically speaking, Mark and I have seen very few domes that we consider beautiful.
Deciding what product to use for the balloon‟s exterior coating seems to be a major challenge in
cultivating a charming and maintenance friendly dome. We wanted something durable, easy to
clean, but also easy on the eyes. We needed a new solution to an old problem.
In our personal quest for knowledge, we scoured the country on a tour of domes. We saw a
variety of options applied to the dome‟s surface. Some people chose to not coat the surface at all
and leave the balloon exposed. The problem arises when the UV rays cause the primer between
the urethane foam and fiberglass to lose its adhesion. The layers delaminate and as a result,
bubbles arise in the dome‟s exterior.
With the products available in today‟s market, paint is not a viable choice for a dome‟s exterior
coating. The paint on the domes we saw was peeling and curling in several places. The seams
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that hold the balloons‟ pieces together are significantly raised. Paint does not have enough mils
to cover the seams and is a constant maintenance nightmare. We did not feel it enhanced the
appearance of the dome in any way.
Another issue that diminishes the cosmetic appearance is the mildew that all domes seem to
grow like a dormant rock covered in moss. Mildew inhibitive additives to the paint appeared to be
an ineffective solution. Even with our coating, we experienced some growth. But because the
coating is so slick, it inhibits the rapid growth of mildew and is very easy to clean off with a power
washer.
Mentally scanning the options routinely used to coat the dome‟s exterior, we found none that
would accomplish our goal of being both aesthetically pleasing and low maintenance. While
rinsing out the bed of my pickup truck, Mark asked me if the spray liner came in different colors.
A few phone calls later, we knew what we would use. The sprayed polyurea coating could be
matched to any color. I selected several whitish paint chips from the local hardware store and
headed to the non-developed area of pristine beach. The color that lost itself in our sugar white
beaches and would help the dome blend into the environment, so to speak would be the winner.
Just as a dune is a natural, organic shape found on our beach, we wanted Serenity of the Sea to
become part of the beach environment. The only reason it looks a bit bizarre is because of the
square houses built around it. No, really… think about it. If the dome was the only structure on
the beach, your eye could easily overlook it as just another dune. Biomorphic architecture
philosophy shows that it is the square shape that is out of place on the undulating beach. Curves
are everywhere in the natural world, they are soothing to look at, and one of the strongest shapes
in nature.
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The polyurea coating performed exactly as we had hoped. It was easy to clean, minimized the
balloon‟s seam lines, and was attractive. Then, in 2004, Hurricane Ivan caused some cosmetic
damage to the exterior of the dome. We made the repairs to the shell with foam and plaster.
Then, on top of the remaining polyurea liner and repairs, we had stucco applied. We kept the
liner in place because it makes a great vapor barrier and UV protective layer. The stucco
covered up the imperfections in the dome's repairs, masked the seams even more and gave
Serenity a "softer" look and feel to her. We love the new exterior. The stucco coating enhances
the illusion of sand we wanted to capture. If we were building again, we would still coat the dome
with the polyurea liner and then choose an exterior coating to be applied on top of it.
FLEX-C TRAC
We were eager to integrate curved walls into the home, but were wary of the added complications
this would entail. When Mark mentioned his desire for curved walls to our designer, Mr. Bissett,
he offered FLEX-C TRAC (www.flexc.com) as the perfect solution. If ever there was a product
developed to create original, artistic walls and ceilings, this is it!
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FLEX-C TRAC, solved our dilemma and presented innumerable options for curved walls, barrel
ceilings, wavy ceilings, s-curves and columns. These curves can be built horizontally or vertically;
for curved metal or wood structures. It can be easily hand shaped on site to make curves of
varying radii and can easily match existing curves. FLEX-C TRAC is made of pivotal 20 gauge
galvanized sheet metal sections with a sliding strap on each of the two legs. An added plus: No
unusual or special tools are required! Studs can be placed at any interval.
Curves can be built smooth and strong the first time without flat spots because of its unique
pivotal design. Contractors claim it saves 60% - 80% of the time required to build a curved
structure compared to conventional methods.
Because of the nature of domes, construction changes are difficult to make. Mark decided he
wanted to "pop out" a few the bedrooms' walls to create more space while the house was being
framed in. Normally an impossible feat at this juncture in construction, it was easily feasible using
the FLEX-C TRAC. I cannot stress what a wonderful, amazing invention this is by Frank Wheeler.
Visit their website to see the incredible pictures of what is possible. (www.flexc.com)
FLEX-C TRAC was invented by Frank Wheeler, a carpenter. He understood the need for an
efficient and better way to frame curves and invented FLEX-C TRAC. FLEX-C TRAC is such an
extraordinary achievement it was recognized by the Construction Innovation Forum's NOVA
Award as a finalist in 2000.
In 1989, the Construction Innovation Forum, (www.cif.org),created the NOVA Award to
"recognize innovations that have proven to be significant advances that have had positive,
important effects on construction to improve quality and reduce cost." Flex-Ability Concepts also
received recognition at the annual Innovative Housing and Technology Awards sponsored by the
NAHB Research Center and Popular Science for their amazing building product, Flex-C Trac
system.
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We have been fortunate to discover innovative products that show true genius in their design. Mr.
Wheeler's invention allows one's imagination to soar with unlimited creativity.
We believe Flex-C Trac is one of the best products on the market today. The designing we did
within the Dome would have never been possible without this product.
SETS TANKLESS HOT WATER HEATERS
There are many reasons why I love our SETS Tankless hot water heaters. They conserve space
and energy. The units are small in size (approximately 14” x 16”) and are attached to the wall in
our closets. Hot water is only generated as it is needed and never runs out! No more cold
showers because you weren‟t first in line for a shower. You are not storing heated water in a
tank, having to keep it up to the optimum temperature, therefore the energy savings are reflected
in the power bill. The units have been used by NASA and were greatly appreciated by those
working on Ground Zero. Carlos and Jerry at SETS are wonderful to work with! They are friendly,
informative, and constantly improving their products. Years of research culminate into units that
are always on the cutting edge of technology. They receive our whole hearted recommendation.
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PRODUCTS SELECTED FOR THE COASTAL ENVIRONMENT
In addition to the obvious hurricanes, living on the coast presents other challenges. Structures
are constantly assaulted with salt air, humidity, sand, and the constant presence of mold and
mildew. The Dome of a Home was definitely designed to be hurricane resistant, but it was also
specifically built with products that would mitigate the majority of issues facing coastal residents.
Many of the features we incorporated into the Dome of a Home are worthwhile choices for
conventional structures as well. Polyurethane foam is the smart choice for insulation in a humid
environment, regardless of the shape of your home. And the added structural strength of a roof
line sprayed with XXXX type of foam increases the strength by five times. Georgia Pacific‟s
Dens Technology sheetrock is definitely worth the initial extra expense when one considers the
time and effort it takes to replace damaged sheetrock.
Using metal studs, foam insulation, Georgia Pacific‟s Dens Technology sheetrock, a ductless air
conditioning system, and cork flooring virtually eliminated all mold and mildew problems for
Serenity by the Sea. These are all features that can easily be incorporated into a conventional
structure to improve it immeasurably.
After Hurricane Ivan, I was extremely grateful that we had used metal studs, poly urethane foam
insulation, cork flooring, and Georgia Pacific's DENS Technology products because there was
nothing in our walls to harbor mildew or grow mold.
A news crew from MSNBC stayed at the Dome of a Home during Hurricane Ivan, September
2004 and some water entered the house through the patio doors that were using. Some of the
windows leaked as well. However, because we used products designed to deter mold and
mildew growth, we had absolutely no problem with either. Most buildings I enter after a storm,
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even after repairs have been made, have a lingering mildew odor that reeks of creeping, hidden
mold. All it takes is a few spores to take hold in the fiberglass insulation, wooden studs, or
sheetrock and a Petri dish has been established that will propagate the mold throughout the
house.
GEORGIA PACIFIC‟S DENS TECHNOLOGY SHEETROCK
Knowing from previous experience that sheetrock will disintegrate when exposed to the violent
rains of hurricanes, we chose a product that has a superior resistance to mold and mildew.
Georgia-Pacific‟s Dens Technology Products offer products that have dual glass mat facings,
which offer superb protection against the growth of mold and mildew. www.gp.com/gypsum
They offer products specifically designed for the exterior and interior. With the humid coastal
environment, Georgia-Pacific‟s Dens Technology products are a viable material that excels in any
application.
A few of the products that we incorporated into the home as described on Georgia Pacific‟s web
site http://www.gp.com/gypsum
DENSARMOR PLUS INTERIOR GUARD
This patented, unique, interior product consists of a noncombustible gypsum core, embedded
with coated glass mat facings. Aside from their usual role in providing superior protection from
incidental moisture, these dual glass mat facings offer superb protection against the growth of
mold and mildew (per ASTM D 3273).
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DENSGLASS GOLD® EXTERIOR GUARD
DensGlass Gold Exterior Guard, combines glass mats embedded into a treated gypsum core and
a gold colored bond-enhancing primer coating for superior performance and moisture resistance.
DensGlass Gold Exterior Guard has set an industry standard in sheathing - a panel so weatherresistant
that extended exposure to the elements won't affect its performance. They guarantee it.
With its patented inorganic glass mat design DensGlass Gold Exterior Guard is the most mold
and mildew resistant exterior sheathing product on the market.
DensGlass Gold Exterior Guard is lightweight and easy to handle. It's also resistant to jobsite
damage. It provides outstanding fire protection. It resists warping, rippling, buckling and sagging.
DENSSHIELD® TILE GUARD
Based on the same proven Dens Technology as other DensGuard products, DensShield Tile
Guard promises to provide superior moisture, mold and mildew resistance on your next tile
project. DensShield carries a patented design that includes a gray, heat-cured acrylic coating,
which protects both the tile installation and the wall cavity from moisture.
Georgia-Pacific recognized the need for a lightweight tile backer that protects the tile installation,
keeps water out of the wall cavity and requires minimal work to install. The product weighs from
17 to 32 lbs. less than comparably sized cement board. With no paper to delaminate when
exposed to water, DensShield offers the ease of installation of regular wallboard with
performance unmatched by any tile backer.
DensShield helps prevent moisture migration, which can cause mold and mildew growth and stud
or fastener corrosion. No other tile substrate offers such absolute moisture protection.
Independent test confirm that DensShield tile backer with its inorganic glass mat design achieved
a 10 (the highest rating) in resistance to mold and mildew when tested in accordance with ASTM
D 3273.
Without a doubt, these are a "must have" series of products in a high humidity environment. The
hurricanes did cause some water to enter the dome through the windows. Usually, this creates a
serious problem with the mold and mildew rapidly devouring the sheetrock and insulation. Not
with Georgia Pacific's Dens Products. We had absolutely no mold or mildew growth on our
sheetrock, even though it was dampened from the storms. Using metal studs, foam insulation,
GP's Dens Products, and cork flooring virtually eliminated the increased damage mold and
mildew would have normally caused.
POLYURETHANE FOAM
We have devoted a tremendous amount of energy to avoid some of the pitfalls we experienced
with our conventional home. Because of its hydroscopic nature, fiberglass insulation definitely
needed to be eliminated from the home. The moisture fiberglass insulation absorbs diminishes
the R-value and provides a laboratory for mold and mildew to flourish. When we bulldozed our
previous home to build the Dome, I was nauseated by the mold covering our fiberglass insulation.
Then, I knew why we were suffering sinus complications.
Polyurethane foam was an integral part of the plan to build a home that could withstand our
coastal environment. It is the layer of the shell structure located between the balloon and the
concrete. The exterior walls‟ 6” metal studs were foamed with 4” of 3# foam. We also chose to
use the foam for insulation between the walls of the home for its energy conservation; structural
strength; sound deadening; and water resistant qualities. The interior walls‟ 3.5” metal studs were
foamed with 1” of 2# foam. We also sprayed foam on the garage's ceiling, covering the exposed
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floor pan and structural beams. No more rust! Another added bonus is the increased
heating/cooling efficiency.
The foam performed beautifully in Hurricane Ivan, 2004. Ordinarily, the leaks around the
windows and doors would have created huge issues with mold and mildew. With the foam
insulation, Georgia Pacific's mildew resistant DENS Technology sheetrock, and metal studs, we
eliminated a huge coastal concern: hidden mold and mildew in the walls.
Please see our chapter devoted to Polyurethane Foam for more detailed information.
CORK FLOORING
Cork definitely wins my vote for the best flooring ever conceived. It adds a coziness and warmth
to the home that we truly love. Mark and I made a concerted effort to select products to use in the
Dome of a Home that were environmentally responsible. Initially, we chose cork flooring because
the trees are not killed in the process of harvesting the cork. Remarkably, cork trees can live to
be 500 years old and can have the cork removed every nine to twelve years. Another key quality
of cork is that it is naturally anit-fungal, anit-microbial, and anti-bacterial.
Cork definitely interested us because of many features it offers: renewable source, anti-fungal,
reduces echoing and noise, and it was soft. But, during Hurricane Ivan, cork‟s invaluable
advantages were obviously evident. During Hurricane Ivan, we had some water leak into the
house. Although the cork flooring became extremely wet, it never grew mold or mildewed. Wet
carpet must be removed immediately to avoid further damage with mold growth on the subflooring
and the walls. We let the cork dry out in place and it never began to smell or became
compromised with mold, mildew, or other fungi. It was distorted and did need replacing, but the
key here is that I didn't have to rush to remove my flooring after the storm. I could wait until I was
ready to deal with the floor. This allowed us to focus our attention on other concerns that needed
to be handled immediately – a luxury in the state of disarray we existed in after Ivan.
PITTSBURGH CORNING GLASS BLOCK
http://www.pittsburghcorning.com 800.624.2120
Mark always intended for a glass block wall to grace the master suite's decks. Because of time
constraints, an aluminum railing coated in rhino liner was used instead. The coating did not
adhere well causing Mark to constantly lament that he hadn't built the glass block wall in the first
place.
One thing about living in hurricane hell, there seems to be a constant opportunity to replace and
redo. Mark seized our inability to have rental clients after Hurricane Ivan as an opportunity to
create the beautiful glass block wall he had been envisioning in his mind's eye for years.
Ever increasing the artistic quality of the Dome of a Home, his vision was absolutely right on the
mark. With every addition, the home transforms, almost taking on the qualities of a sculpted piece
of art. The glass block is beautiful as it reflects the movement in the fountain's glimmering water.
I was stunned at the metamorphosis.
Practically speaking, the glass block wall allows occupants of the Dome to enjoy the deck more
than before. It allows for more privacy and blocks the wind for increased comfort. Several people
a day stop to look at the house and to take pictures, which is great for visibility. But, this also
impedes on sun bathing privacy with only a rail along the deck.
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With its double pane, glass block is extremely strong and energy efficient. The shape of the
curved wall increases its strength as well. When the wind hits the glass block wall, it is dispersed
around its curves, reducing resistance and damage factors.
Pittsburg Corning has even developed a glass block specifically for coastal areas and hurricane
strength winds. It‟s encouraging to see companies develop products that address specific safety
concerns.
Pittsburgh Corning‟s THICKSET® 90 Glass Block and our KWiK‟N EZ® Rigid Track
Installation System has passed hurricane impact tests recognized by the
International Building Code and Dade County in coastal areas. Which makes it the
perfect solution if you want beauty and function that will weather most any storm.
THICKSET® 90 Glass Block Functional Benefits
� Greater face thickness than standard glass block
� Graffiti-resistant, damage-resistant and easy to clean
� Noise-resistant
� Offers a range of visibility and privacy, depending on pattern chosen
� Allows varying degrees of light transmission
� Greater security than conventional windows
For technical service support and a copy of test reports and approvals, call 1-
800-245-1217 ext. 900.
Code Approvals
� Meets large missile impact tests referenced in the International Building Code, in
accordance with ASTM E-1886 and ASTM E-1996
� Dade County Approval
� Texas Department of Insurance Approval
Panel Size and Design Pressure Rating
� 4 ft. x 4 ft. = 100 PSF Design Pressure
� 4 ft. x 8 ft. = 80 PSF Design Pressure
� 6 ft. x 6 ft. = 68 PSF Design Pressure
Note: Dade County approval for panel size of 4 ft. x 4 ft. at 70 PSF
„/.CHILLIN‟ OUT
The most complicated issue requiring the most vigorous exertion of mental energy was the
heating/cooling system in the dome. Our overall design utilizes solar energy, geo-thermal energy
and the 500 tons of thermal mass inherent in the shell that acts as an energy battery. Utilizing
knowledge from the last home he remodeled, Mark designed the openings in the dome according
to the movement of the sun across the heavens. The openings and windows in the dome are
designed to receive solar gain during the winter. But, during the summer months there is no direct
sunlight in contact with the windows to introduce unnecessary heat into the dome.
Because of the intense humidity on the beach, the duct work in our previous home was a
constant source of mold and mildew. Wanting to avoid that dilemma again, we researched and
found the Hydro-Air System. Unlike conventional systems that heat or cool by forcing air
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through large, bulky ducting, hydronic air systems deliver total comfort without any ducting
whatsoever. Instead of ducting, insulated Pex plumbing pipe delivers 42 degree chilled water to
our 9 individual Hydro-Air units. Hydro-Air utilizes small, efficient hydronic fan coil wall units in
each room that distributes cooling energy from a geo-thermal unit or a standard outdoor air
conditioning unit. Hydro-Air‟s owner, Tom, was very helpful in our unusual endeavor in marrying
the Hydro-Air units with a geo-thermal system. www.bio-radiant.com
For its energy saving qualities, we chose to use a Florida Heat Pump geo-thermal unit. Florida
Heat Pump was founded in 1969 with the goal of producing the finest water source heat pumps to
conserve the Earth‟s energy and to protect the environment. Florida Heat Pumps can reduce your
heating and cooling costs by 30% to 60%. An added plus – it could be designed to heat our in
ground swimming pool. Unlike other systems that have to create heat to warm the pool, this
system takes the same excess energy from the house or earth and transfers it to the pool. A
thermostat regulates the temperature of the pool, making this one of the most efficient and
effective ways to heat a swimming pool.
In the nine years we have lived on Pensacola Beach, we have bought 4 air-conditioning units.
Storm surges and salt air reduce an outdoor unit‟s lifetime significantly. The system we installed
has the unit‟s components in the ground or inside the house. Adverse environmental conditions
will no longer affect the longevity of the unit to such a dramatic extent. The design also reduces
outdoor noise and air pollution – always a plus!
Florida Heat Pump developed the Vertical Energy System (Closed Loop) that we used. www.fhpmfg.com
This system utilizes the natural thermal properties of the earth by circulating water or an
antifreeze solution through a closed loop network of plastic pipe that is inserted into vertical wells.
The loops cool the water or Freon in the Florida Heat Pump. The Florida Heat Pump then chills
the air that is run through the Hydro Air units. We required 7 wells at a depth of 250‟ to run the
nine-loop Hydro-Air units. The nine Hydro-Air units cool using 6 zoned thermostats. The ground
at 250‟ is a fairly constant temperature of 70 degrees. Because we live on the coast and have a
tide each day, any warmth accumulating in the ground is dispersed as the tide arrives. So even
when it gets really hot here in the summer, the ground stays cool constantly.
Conventional air units use a fan to move ambient temperature air across the condenser coils of
the air-conditioner to cool the Freon from a hot gas to a cool liquid. Alternatively, geo-thermal
units use the constant ground temperature to bring water or antifreeze across the condensing
coils to change the Freon from a hot gas to a cool liquid. Because air temperature can exceed
105 degrees and ground temperature remains a fairly constant 70 degrees, GEO-THERMAL IS
300 TIMES AS EFFICIENT THAN THE CONVENTIONAL AIR UNITS. To grasp the significance
of the difference between chilled water‟s and chilled air‟s ability to cool, imagine standing in a pool
of 70 degree water. You would lose your body heat quickly. But, a person can stand in 70
degree air all day and not be chilled to the extent of being in the water for just moments.
An expected consequence of living on the coast is the permeating odor of mildew and fishiness.
Beach structures over a couple of years old have that distinct odor I have come to recognize as
hiding mildew. In our conventional house, the duct work always had gunk coming out of the vents
even with a bi-annual professional cleaning. Since the Hydro-Air units use plumbing pipe to
move the chilled water instead of duct work to move air, another source of the mold and mildew
growth is eliminated.
In a dome‟s shell, there are limited options for hiding a duct system. We maintained more
opportunities for interesting angles and curves in our wall and ceiling designs. One of the
avenues for sound travel was eliminated when duct work was not required by the Hydro-Air
design. The rooms were virtually sound proof with the polyurethane foam between the walls,
concrete floor above and below, and no reverberating duct work transmitting muted
conversations.
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Another significant advantage of each room having its own Hydro-Air unit is the reduction of
humidity in the house. Instead of having one unit removing the humidity from a single source,
each room has its own unit that will be reducing the ever present humidity. The air in the Dome of
a Home smells cleaner, feels crisper, and is not dripping with humidity. The air is much easier to
breathe in the dome than it was in our previous house .Since each Hydro-Air System unit
removes humidity from the air, I essentially have a dehumidifier in each room.
With great enthusiasm, I applaud the genius of being able to adjust the temperature in each room
separately. I only heat and cool the rooms we are using; Freezing Fannie and Hot Flash Hannah
can co-exist comfortably in the house. Holographic fireplaces are the source of heat in the dome.
Each room has its own fireplace, capable of heat and flames or just romantic flames in warmer
weather. Overall, the conglomerate of systems Mark utilized is a perfect solution for homes built
in humid environments.
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12 THINGS R CHANGING
Hurricanes relentlessly slammed the Gulf Coast in 2004 and 2005. Finally, rebuilding has begun
in earnest. Most of the destroyed buildings have been removed, repairs have begun on the
existing buildings, and new structures are popping up daily. But, I have noticed that some of the
things that we perceive as new are really old ideas just renewed. In Collins Past World Atlas of
Archeology, I found pictures of domes made from bones in the Ukraine during Paleolithic times
and in France at the same time, there were round structures made from animal skins and wooden
poles. Obviously, the materials have changed, but the round structure has been home to man for
thousands upon thousands of years.
Although we have not seen
any other domes being built on
Pensacola Beach, it is
extremely evident that people
are putting more thought into
the structures they are building
on the coast. Two families are
building 'round' kit houses by
DELTEC HOMES
www.deltechomes.com
800.642.2508
They actually have straight
walls, none over 8 feet long,
assembled in an octagon
shape. The house comes in
segments that are put together
on site. Construction is quick
and the round shape affords
some advantages against strong winds. The home gives the illusion of almost being a circle,
especially when you stand below the house and look up. The joists radiate out from a strong
center, giving the appearance of a gigantic carriage wheel. There is strength in the shape of this
structure. The kit homes on the beach that have been through several storms seemed to have
fared reasonably well. With a few additions to the building process, these homes could become
even more impenetrable.
The most useful advice we could give to those building a conventional structure is to use a closed
cell foam to spray under your roof. This procedure will strengthen your home's integrity and
make it almost invulnerable to the destructive high winds. The foam bonds the roof to the
structure so when the winds swirl around trying desperately to liberate your roof from your
structure, the roof retains its integrity.
The strength can be enhanced further by using closed cell polyurethane foam to coat the interior
side of the exterior walls. This unites all of the walls and roof line, creating a very strong
structure. Another advantage of using this foam as insulation between interior walls, instead of
the fiberglass type, is the fact that it will not absorb moisture. So, even if you have a breach in
the structure, it will not permeate the insulation and begin growing the mold and mildew as
fiberglass insulation is so prone to do. Polyurethane foam insulation is a wonderful option, but
one that we personally feel should be a requirement – part of the coastal building code. Why fill
your house with a virtual moisture sponge, a Petri dish for mold and mildew, when there is an
alternative that will protect and strengthen your home? This seems like a no- brainer. The
foam is also a sound insulator and creates quiet, sound proof rooms. Great when you have
teenagers!
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We used foam insulation throughout the Dome of a Home because we knew even if we did have
a leak, the foam would eliminate the mold and mildew growth so often found on fiberglass
insulation. And, of course, it is a much more effective, energy efficient insulating product for the
humid climate we live in.
Another no-brainer: use a 'peel and seal' system below your roof and on the exterior walls to
create a waterproof barrier, thereby greatly diminishing any moisture gain in the house. Using
Peel and Seal will greatly reduce your leaks, even if the shingles are compromised or missing. If
you lose your shingles, the 'peel and seal' will protect your home for a year. It will keep your roof
intact long enough to repair the shingles and will help you avoid any further damages when rainy
weather arrives. Peel & Seal is a multi-layer, self-adhering roofing membrane system that goes
on fast. It is easy to apply in temperatures above 60 degrees. All you need is a clean, dry roof
area and a pair of scissors or utility knife. Simply cut to shape, remove the backing paper, and
press into place directly on the roof.
We have even seen people using it under the siding of their homes. Great idea!!!! When the
storms drive the rain into a home whose sides have been Peel and Sealed, the walls are not
compromised and wind driven rain is not an issue. (You might get water at your windows/doors,
but the Peel and Seal will protect your walls from penetration.) If you lose your siding, your home
is still protected. It is another option that we personally feel should be a requirement for coastal
building.
Georgia Pacific DENS Technology sheetrock has a coated mat on it that does not allow the
absorption of water, thereby eliminating the mold and mildew that grows so profusely on
sheetrock after a storm. They make indoor and outdoor products. Their products are a must in a
humid, storm ridden environment. http://www.gp.com/gypsum
The Elk‟s Lodge is building an ark on pilings. I am not familiar with the exact process of
construction, but it looked like they were putting together a 3-D concrete puzzle. The walls are
massive. It looks extremely strong and durable. I don‟t know if they are planning on hosting
hurricane parties in that formidable structure, but it looks like a substantial piece of engineering.
It has been most encouraging to see people embracing alternative building methods after the
recent onslaught of storms. We have a couple of ICF homes being built. With this system,
insulated foam blocks are stacked to make walls. Rebar is laced between the blocks and
concrete is poured into the blocks, creating an extremely strong structure. Many times we also
see these homes using the poly urethane foam discussed above. Combining the many options
available can result in a strong, hurricane resistant building --- without having to build a dome.
After these homes are completed, they appear to be conventional structures. They are energy
efficient, durable, and a wonderful alternative when one wants to have a "conventional" looking
home.
All in all, it is very encouraging to watch people look around, assess the damage, and then start
thinking of how to improve the situation. You don't have to live in a Dome to have a hurricane
resistant home. You can build smart by using products and processes that make sense for
coastal living. Our favorites are the closed cell foam, Peel and Seal membrane, Georgia Pacific‟s
Dens Technology sheetrock, and ICF building blocks.
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13 MEDIA MADNESS
Building the Dome of a Home has provided many opportunities to meet several interesting people
and to participate in many media events.
MOST SURPRISING
My most surprising phone call interrupted a mellow Thursday afternoon.
A producer from ABC identifies himself. My mind immediately jumps to the programs the Dome
of a Home has been involved with on ABC affiliates. I, of course, assume that hurricane season
is around the corner and Good Morning America would like to do a follow-up story. Well, we all
know what happens when we ass-u-me.
The gentleman asks if I am familiar
with the program Wife Swap. "What?
What did you say?" I stutter. "Wife
Swap? I thought that's what you said.
You must have the wrong number.
Wife Swap? Why would you be calling
us?"
Evidently, this producer is a fan of
dome homes and thought filming in the
Dome of a Home would make a great
episode of Wife Swap. I was honest
with the producer and told him I had
only watched about 10 minutes of one
of the shows. Ten minutes was enough for me to be mortified and to ask out loud to an empty
room, "Who would be on this show? Why would someone do this to themselves? Insanity!" The
producer explained in detail the premise of the show: I spend two weeks with another family
while the wife/mother of that family comes to live in my house. For the first week, it's business as
usual in each of the households. (Each wife leaves a manual of instructions.) The second week,
the "new" wife gets to run the house as she sees fit.
I laughed and told him that I was afraid the "new" wife wouldn't want to leave. I knew from the ten
minutes I had seen on TV that they would pair me with…. Well, with someone whose ideas are
diametrically opposed to my own. I'm open-minded, but two weeks with a man who lives in the
Dark Ages is more than I can bear. Talk about stress upon stress. The money they offer for
participating would not cover my therapy bills. So, a midst much laughter, I politely told him I
didn't think so, but I would discuss it with my family.
The producer asked if I would answer a few questions. Sure, why not?
He asked what our daily routine was like and then he asked me two questions that would
irrevocably alter my perception. What would I change about my children? Hmm…. Well, of
course, I wish for them to be wiser, but essentially I would not change my children – even if I had
the ability to do so. Then, he asked what I wanted to change about my husband. I laughingly told
him that there was nothing I would change about my husband. I think he is a generous,
compassionate, loving soul that I am privileged to know. I knew it was a sappy, hokey answer,
but it was the truth.
In the midst of frustration, I have muttered under my breath about my kids and husband. But,
when I took a moment and actually evaluated what my goals would be to change them, I realized
with great joy in my heart that I truly love them for who and what they are. Now, when I am
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frustrated with my family, I remember the laughter and joy I felt when the ABC producer made me
stop and realize how blessed I am.
MOST MIRACULOUS
The Miraculous Manifestation of Jim Cantore
Hurricane Week Ushers in Tropical Storm Arlene
When Mark and I began our optimistic planning strategy for building the Dome of a Home, I often
repeated this mantra: "Jim Cantore at our home. Jim Cantore at the Dome. Jim Cantore needs
to see this house." Because Jim is the mascot of the "tropical weather" that affects beach
residents so deeply, it seemed appropriate for him to see a home that was built in response to
severe weather.
I had a focused goal to manifest
the King of Tropical Weather in
the Dome of a Home.
The Weather Channel and Jim
Cantore have a massive
audience that grows even larger
as severe weather stalks its
imminent victims. When Jim
begins reporting on a tropical
system, residents pay attention
and heed the warnings to begin
preparations. An effective way of
disseminating information is to
reach the largest audience in the
shortest amount of time. If we
had the opportunity to share with
Jim Cantore the concepts of the
Dome of a Home and how they
address hurricanes and the harsh coastal environment, the information could be widely dispersed
quickly.
So, in my naive dream world, I knew without a doubt that I would give Jim Cantore a personal
tour of the Dome of a Home. I visualized Jim standing on our front deck so vividly that I just
assumed it was a reality --- I just didn't know when it would be.
Hurricane Ivan took aim at Pensacola Beach in September 2004. Mark and I were vacationing in
Montana and began to receive numerous phone calls from various media outlets. Good Morning
America, Discovery Channel – Canada, Canadian public radio, ABC news, NBC news, etc. all
wanted to know about the Dome of a Home's hurricane resistant structure and the impending
monster storm's possible effect on the home. They wanted to interview Mark in the home as the
storm approached. Well…. Mark was in Montana and the Discovery Channel wanted to film the
next morning in Pensacola Beach.
What could we do? Our primary goal in building the home was educational. How could we not
seize these opportunities? Obviously, we immediately bought a ticket for Mark to leave for
Pensacola. After numerous security searches (a last minute one way ticket), Mark boarded the
plane during its last call for passengers. He would be arriving in the wee hours of the morning
and have to immediately prepare for broadcast. And a storm was literally on the horizon.
Taking advantage of the extensive media coverage on Pensacola Beach, Mark, armed with
business cards and informational text about the Dome of a Home, contacted several media
personnel about touring the Dome. MSNBC went so far as to actually stay in the Dome with Mark
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during Hurricane Ivan's assault on September 16, 2005. For several days, the MSNBC crew
stayed at the Dome before, during, and after the storm's spanking of Panhandle.
But, no Weather Channel? What!? Mark said he wasn't able to communicate with anyone from
that network and they had not contacted him. What?! I really was incredulous. How could they
be on Pensacola Beach and not know about the Hurricane House? I couldn't believe it. Here
was this immense monster of a storm and it was putting the Hurricane House to the test and we
couldn't garner the Weather Channel's attention. I just couldn't believe it. How could this be?
Remember my mantra? "Jim Cantore in my home…" Not "the Weather Channel in my home",
but very specifically "Jim Cantore in my home."
Jim was not in Pensacola Beach during Hurricane Ivan. Hence, he could not be in the Dome of a
Home during this perfect opportunity. Oh, and there was the minor detail that I was still in
Montana and unable to conduct a personal tour of the home.
Sometimes we get exactly what we ask for with all its specific details. I feel certain if I had been
general in my request for the Weather Channel, its crews would have found their way to the
Dome during Hurricane Ivan. But, then I would have missed all of the fun.
Things have a way of working out perfectly if we are patient and just trust the process.
Admittedly, I was disappointed and confused that the Dome of a Home did not garner air time on
the Weather Channel during Ivan's wrath. But, events were lining up to unfold in a miraculous
manner. The manifestation of my mantra would exceed my greatest expectations.
On Saturday, June 4, 2005 Mark and I read that Jim Cantore and the Weather Channel were
scheduled to kick off Hurricane Season on Pensacola Beach the next day. Determined to speak
with someone from the Weather Channel, Mark and I set our alarm on Sunday for 6 am. As Mark
stumbles out of bed, he glances out the window at the beach. What does he see? Yep, the
Weather Channel is setting up their equipment right across from the Dome on the beach.
Hallelujah! It wouldn't
be necessary to hunt
them down. Jim
Cantore was standing
on the beach across
from my house!!!
Since they had a visual
of the home, Mark could
succinctly relate the
storm resistant features
of the Dome of a Home
and offer a tour when
their schedule
permitted.
Intrigued and interested,
the Weather Channel
crew agreed to a tour on
one of their breaks.
Barely able to absorb the immensity of my dream manifesting before my very eyes, I shared with
Jim Cantore the various features of the Dome as we walked through. And then there he was,
standing on our front deck, exactly how I had envisioned him! Ecstatic, excited, humbled, and
completely in awe, I was empowered by the abundance of synchronicity and coincidences that
had led to this moment in time. There is a Zen saying, "Life is a mystery to be explored, not a
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usiness to be managed." Never have I felt the mystery more evident as I stood witness to, quite
literally, a dream come true.
After the tour, Jim and his crew asked if Mark would do an interview and would we mind if they
did some of their broadcasts off the front deck. Would we mind??? Are you kidding??? Icing on
the cake; not only did Jim allow me to show him the Dome, he was going to broadcast live from
the Dome!!! I could watch him on my TV and see him on my deck simultaneously. Wow!!! I was
beside myself. The magic just continued to blossom. Sunday, June 5, 2005 renewed me,
reinvigorated our zest for the Dome (tired of hurricane repairs), and reassured me that all was
going according to plan.
Late Sunday night, we said goodbye to our new friends. I missed them already – even as we
joked on the doorstep about their staying in the Dome of a Home during the next storm headed
this direction. Little did we know how prophetic that scenario would be.
Four days later, we received a phone call from Jim Cantore. Tropical Storm Arlene was headed
to the Panhandle. Jim wanted to know if we would be willing to let him and his crew use the
Dome of a Home as their base of operations. Hmmm…let me think about it– NOT!
Estimated time of arrival: 7 hours. Okay, I needed to manifest some cleaning fairies, and fast.
Lo, and behold, a cleaning crew shows up a few hours later for the regularly scheduled two week
clean. I had completely forgotten it was cleaning day. I was very happy about that bit of luck!
So, it was off to the grocery store to secure some grub…and all those hurricane preparation
necessities.
Overwhelmed by the events of the last week, I became emotional as I pushed my grocery cart
among the walking wounded. The masks of my fellow shoppers reflected the horror we felt
inside. Hurricane Ivan haunted each of us as we remembered all we had lost, all we had
diligently tried to repair. The material loss is devastating, but the damaged spirits require more
than blue tarps to stop the leaking fear.
Yes, Arlene was only a tropical storm --- Ivan's baby nine months later. Yes, we know, Arlene is
minor compared to Ivan. But, it doesn't feel minor. Arlene is the first storm of the season and we
were already a target. Already! so early in the season on June 10, 2005. For those who had
been optimistically declaring there was no way we could be hit twice so quickly, Mother Nature
proved she definitely does what she wants. And what about 1995, Hurricane Erin in August and
Hurricane Opal in October? And Florida's plethora of storms in the 2004 season?
As I determinedly gathered my supplies, I felt the despair of my fellow Floridians. We bought our
supplies, not to prepare for Arlene, but to exorcise the demons of Hurricane Ivan. We overprepared
as if we could retro-prepare for Hurricane Ivan. By the conclusion of my shopping trip, I
wished for Lucy, the corner therapist in Charles Schultz's cartoon strip Charlie Brown. Heavily
laden with food, I planned the meals for the next few days. Would we lose electricity? Water?
Geez, I hoped not. I prepared for Weather Channel's arrival as they prepared for Tropical Storm
Arlene's arrival.
I have a whole new level of respect for the news and weather media. Never have I seen such
diligence under such intense pressure. The Weather Channel's crew was up before the sun and
worked until 10:30 pm, with only a few breaks in the afternoon. Just enough time to eat quickly
and re-group for the next segment. In the background, I observed with complete awe the
competence and team work exhibited by Jim, Eddie, and Michelle. The timing and attention to
details requires a focused unit that trusts each other immensely. This group works like precision
machinery.
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Fortunately, Tropical Storm Arlene was a minor blip on the radar. With all of the debris still on the
beach from Hurricane Ivan last year, a storm surge or heavy winds could have a devastating
effect. A storm surge would create surfing concrete slabs and floating dumpsters. When these
crash into buildings that had survived or been repaired, many would have to start over at square
one, yet again. Substantial winds
could pick up lumber and demolition
debris and hurl the projectiles
through the air. Even a minor storm
has the potential for major damage.
A lot can happen in a week! When
the miraculous comes knocking at
your door, open your heart and mind
to the infinite possibilities; observe in
awe as synchronicity cascades into
your life; and be very grateful. I am
most grateful for the lives that have
been touched and the friendships
made. I will treasure always the
memories of Jim Cantore standing on
our front deck, just like I envisioned
five years before.
If life is about experiences, then we are certainly living life to the fullest. Each media event we
participate in has brought beautiful people into our lives. To all of them, we say thank you for
enriching our lives.
DOME OF A HOME: in the media
TELEVISION:
The Travel Channel's Amazing Vacation Homes
National Geographic's Hurricane Summer
Discovery Channel's The Daily Planet
Discovery Channel's Everything You Need To Know About Hurricanes
ABC's Good Morning America
MSNBC news
Scarborough Country
Countdown with Keith Olberman
ABC news – several appearances on local affiliate
Santa Rosa's Weathering the Storm cable program
UK's Is This The Worst Weather Ever
CNN News
HGTV Extreme Buildings (airing June 2007)
WRITTEN MEDIA:
MAGAZINES
NASA' s Annual Science Magazine
Civil Engineering Magazine:
Pensacola Beach Dome Home Easily Weathers Hurricane Ivan November 2004,
pg 15-16
Walls & Ceilings trade magazine:
Rock It Like A Hurricane November 2003, pg 38 - 40
Beyond Thunder, Dome March 2005, pg 30 - 31
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Architecture Magazine: Dome Home Survives Hurricane Hit October 2004, Page15
Umran: Saudi Arabian Magazine March 2004
Composite Manufacturing: No Longer the New Kid on the Block January 2005, pg 76
MDI's Monolithic Dome Calendar 2005
CKM Polish Magazine: 2005, pg 26
Hemisphere's : United Airlines In Flight Magazine : Ultimate Houses, March 2006,
pg 56 - 63
Florida Travel: Dome of a Home, May 2006, pg 128
GO: Air Tran's In Flight Magazine, June 2006
Innovative Home: Gulf Coast Spotlight, Winter 2006, pg 35
Pensacola Magazine: Local Landmarks That Shape Our City, December 2006, pg 23
Pensacola Home & Garden: Dome of a Home Catches Attention of 'Extreme
Building." January 2007, pg 32 - 35
NEWSPAPERS
Islander: May 8, 2002: Dome Home Under Construction
Islander: June 19, 2002: Dome Home Progress Detailed at SRIA Meeting
Pensacola News Journal: July 26, 2002: Storm Study House Draws Tourists
Islander: January 1, 2003: 2002 Happenings
Islander: May 7, 2003: Construction projects dot Beach Landscape
Pensacola News Journal: September 20, 2003: Homestyle: The Dome Home
Splash Newspaper: October 3, 2003: Fall Tour Showcases Pensacola Beach homes
Splash Newspaper: November 6, 2003: Beach Home Tour Benefits Appetite for Life
Diario de Arquitectura: December 31, 2003: Casas en Globos
Pensacola News Journal: September 13, 2004: Dome Home gets National Attention
Pensacola News Journal: September 14, 2004: Ivan Inches Closer
Watertown Daily Times: September 14, 2004: Ivan Death Toll Hits 68 as Wind,
Waves Lash Cuba
The Post and Courier: September 14, 2004: Gulf Coast Prepares to Flee
Des Moines Register: September 18, 2004: Hurricane Passes Ivan's Test
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Fort Myers: September 20, 2004:
Man Rides Out Ivan in Fortress Dome House On The Beach
Pensacola News Journal: October 18, 2004:
Dome Home goes from Ugly Duckling To Swan After Weathering Ivan
Splash Newspaper: November 2004: Beach Resident pulls Woolybooger to Survive
Splash Newspaper: November 2004: Did you see it?
Pensacola News Journal: June 6, 2005:
Weatherman storms into town to promote "Season of Suspense"
The Ledger: July 10, 2005: Dennis Nearing Panhandle
BOOKS:
2003 IRC Hurricane Resistant Residential Construction: Special Topics from the
2003 International Residential Code, Cover picture
2005 Practical Concrete
WEBSITES:
Our website www.domeofahome.com receives tens of thousands of new and unique visitors each
month. A quick search for Dome of a Home or Dome Home on a search engine will bring up
pages of links.
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14 THE THUNDER ROLLS
The thunder rolls. Brilliant light illuminates my bedroom and shocks me into awareness. The TV
in the adjoining room screeches its severe weather warning. The sky light transforms into a
Timpani drum as the rain drops rhythmically pelt out their tune.
I roll over, tuck the covers beneath my chin, snuggle in between my dogs and drift into Dreamland
once again, thinking it‟s a perfect morning for sleeping in. I let the storm envelope me and caress
me. Instead of the familiar anxiety usually felt during a tornado watch gripping my stomach, this
morning I enjoyed experiencing Mother
Nature's evocative emotion and was
grateful. Grateful that I could safely
enjoy another facet of our amazing
planet, grateful I did not have to worry
about finding a non-existent
underground shelter on the beach.
The weather warnings reiterate the
need for community "safe" buildings,
for example, a dome! If communities
erected safe buildings for schools,
churches, fire and police stations, the
buildings can also be used as a shelter
in a state of emergency. Tax credits
and incentives could be given for those
utilizing their buildings for these dual
purposes. Everyone wins in this
scenario.
Three days later, the island is engulfed in a fog so dense I cannot see my neighbors' homes. I
am alone in this beautiful world that comforts me in its illusion of solitude.
It became a morning filled with moments of reflection, filled with the magic of seeing a friend I had
just been thinking about and the opportunity to extend kindness towards a stranger. I felt the
magic in the air, it was one of those days where wisdom flows and the magic is as tangible as the
fog --- permeating every space of my being. I love these days!!! They remind me that we are
threads in the perfect tapestry. Coincidental synchronocities, opening and closing doors, the
gentle and not so gentle guidance that nudges us along our paths act as the road signs for our
journey. Weaving in and out of each others' lives, the pattern emerges after a lifetime.
I knew it was time to write again.
In the spirit of reflection, I re-read the beginning of a manuscript Mark and I have been working on
for a couple of years. Time to continue the saga.
The sense of excitement vibrates in the air. I know we are on the verge of witnessing
synchronocities so incredible there will be no doubt about which way to venture. Every
experience, every person I vow to greet as part of my tapestry. I don't know where the thread will
lead. I don't care. I just know it will add a touch of color and depth to my overall life's picture to
live life with an open heart full of loving expectation.
As I read my neglected manuscript, I was overwhelmed once again by the incredible journey we
had embarked upon. All over again I was touched by the series of minute details that were
orchestrated at exactly the right moments for the end result to occur. Weeping and laughing, I
continued to read. Again and again I was reminded of how perfectly our lives intersect with
others to accomplish a higher purpose, a greater good.
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As I continued to read, I realized that with an open heart, miracles can occur to you and through
you. Miracles arrived in our lives through strangers, friends, bizarre series of events all
coalescing into Serenity's creation. How could I ever forget the elation of knowing without a
doubt we were creating with divine inspiration? But, I had. Daily life with its draining demands
had depleted my sense of wonder. I missed my bliss and as I read on I began to remember and
feel the joy of knowing we had manifested Serenity by the Sea using The Law of Attraction. I
could manifest joy in my life, all I had to do was focus on the joy for a single moment. Flooding
my senses was a joy so overwhelming my Soul whispered, "What took you so long to remember,
why would you ever choose anything but to live in joy and wonder at the miracle of Life?"
More than ever, I know it is important for me to keep a gratitude journal, so I can remember the
miracles that have happened in my very own life. I am inspired by others' stories, but reading my
stories written in my own hand was especially powerful. These things had happened in my life! I
didn't have to wonder and hope I could have these experiences --- they permeated my life. I had
let the bliss slip away. This was just the boost I needed to focus on the next project, a design and
development company.
Impacting me most was the realization that each and every day we can each be a part of the
tapestry of another's life. If we all understood that our tapestry was just a square in One Quilt, we,
as a species would understand that what affects one of us actually affects all of us. Joy and
peace are infectious! Our individual squares are sewn together with a single thread that unites us
as part of the Whole.
Through my tears and laughter, I was reinvigorated. Belief in the doors opening exactly as they
are needed flooded my very being. The Law of Attraction is always at work – just as gravity is a
constant on our planet. The Law of Attraction operates by bringing to our lives whatever we focus
on. Like attracts like, period. I only have to visualize the end result and the Law of Attraction is
bound to bring all that is needed to accomplish your goal. I don't have to know the "how" of it all.
What a relief! I don't have to figure out the details; I only have to be clear about what I want.
With the perspective of five years, I can see how this was so very true in my life and the process
of bringing Serenity of the Sea into this world. Never would I have been able to figure out all of
the miracles that occurred. Never would I have been able to choreograph such an intricate dance
so beautifully. The dream had manifested and I am sitting in the midst of the miracle, relaxing in
front of the fireplace as I record these words of gratitude. I feel so alive, I am vibrating with the
energy of my very being. Science tells us everything is mostly space, nothing is truly solid. The
chair you sit on is mostly space, it is the illusion that makes you believe it is solid. We, too, are
mostly space – just energy vibrating with potential. And today is a day I can see the energy
vibrating between the spaces. I am part of this huge energy field, plugged in, and ready to
weave my thread through the Quilt of Life.
This summer, several events began to unfold in succession so rapidly, I knew we were once
again in the midst of a miracle occurring. A professor contacted us because one of his graduate
students was using the Dome of a Home in his thesis. This allowed Mark to discuss several
theories with the Professor of Civil and Structural Engineering.
Then, we were contacted by a production company developing a new series, EXTREME
BUILDINGS for HGTV. Were we interested? Of course!
As Mark discussed our dome with Jessica at KPI-TV, he shared his vision of a project located in
Montana.
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The Skybird Lodge would address the
particular challenges of the Montana
environment. Just as Serenity by the Sea is
designed for coastal living, the Skybird will
be designed to address the issues of forest
fires, avalanches, falling trees, snow and ice
accumulation.
Jessica was excited about Mark's vision and
is also including it in the pilot program airing
in March 2007.
This in itself is a very powerful example of
manifestation. This summer when we went to Montana, Mark slept for the first month. That's all,
slept. When he awoke, he grabbed a napkin and drew the Skybird Lodge. He had the layout,
functioning aspects, and details laid out in a matter of moments. I knew to trust his inspiration, I
had seen this before. When Mark envisioned the Dome of a Home, it was a complete package.
As he awoke from his creative slumber, Mark's newest vision was ready to be manifested.
Mark began discussing the project with his best friend from high school, Dante Amato. He and
Mark reconnected four years ago on www.classmates.com and continued their friendship as if the
lapsed 38 years were but just a moment of time. Dante is a creative architect who thrives on
designing buildings that make a difference. A perfect teammember. Literally, only a couple of
weeks passed between Mark's rough sketch drawn on a napkin and its inclusion into the pilot of
HGTV's new program, Extreme Buildings.
85
And so the next chapter
unfolds. I feel the importance
of maintaining a journal of life's
dances. Reading what I have
written over the past few years
is inspiring me and
reinvigorating my belief in the
Zen wisdom that teaches "life
is a mystery to be explored,
not a business to be
managed."
If I hadn't written it all down, I
would have forgotten forever
the beautiful sequences of
events we have been honored
to have. I can see how
miracles have manifested in
the past and that gives me the
certainty that this is the
ultimate way to live – following your bliss. With great joy, I expect opportunities to arise and
manifest exactly as needed. Weave on!
THE SECRET