Fire and Ice

Taken the other night but just getting around to processing. Our night view over the city is one of sparkling lights that go on as far as the eye can see in some directions. Still "practicing" going out on the balcony, but it was so cold, I decided to just stand in the doorway and that was when I noticed our balcony rail had a row of icicles. Focusing on the icicles created the bokeh from the city lights below -- from street lamps and buildings. Opens up interesting possibilities for the future too!

Thanksgiving greetings from P3 on the Toy Group album page: http://365project.org/365toygroup/365/2014-11-27

Fire saga:
Good things:
1. Rice cooker was replaced (one supplied by rental company stopped working); TV will be replaced (one supplied by rental company stopped working)...interesting and nice to see a 'good' company's quick response to fix any problem that comes up!
2. Received (at last) partial inventory list of things declared unsalvageable. Good to know, but sad to see so much destroyed, but good that most of it is replaceable (furniture, aerobeds, cosmetics. thermoses and water bottles, etc etc etc). This list had about 260 lines of item(s), description, and number of items in that category on an excel spreadsheet. Down to details like 'bandages' or 'water bottles' and the number that are declared unsalvageable -- sometimes hard to tell if they mean individual items of boxes of items.
3. My mother has been asking what I'd like for my birthday and when I said, "Danbo," she did not suggest it was ridiculous to send a toy to someone my age and instead said it was a good idea!

The very very not so good things...
1. Insurance company has argued that per contract, they are not responsible for the roof since it wasn't a sudden damage. $$$$$ ahead. [Good thing/silver lining...our long-planned December trip has mostly been paid for, whew, so still going!).

Good outweighs the bad in number, but not necessarily in impact...but much to be thankful for! Wishing all my American friends a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday.

[Sue Wilde]

I'm with your mum...Who better for your birthday than a Danbo? Gorgeous shot. Love all the Christmas bokeh

[sally agnew]

Never too old for toys Taffy, I think its a great idea. I adore this image, so beautifully abstract and fav :)

[Lisa]

Happy Thanksgiving, Taffy. I know this year it's very different for you, and yet I think you have an even deeper appreciation and understanding of the concept "thanksgiving." Beautiful photo.

[Kristen]

Ohhh this is awesome. Great eye to see the icicles and use the bokeh.

[Sandy]

This is very pretty.

[Leah]

Love the pretty colored bokeh!!! Well captured shot!!!

[Richard Hickey]

Fantastic picture. Happy Thanksgiving.

[Debs Stott]

Very pretty lights. How wonderful that your new abode offers new photo opps. I'm moving today and hope that our new spot will be more interesting view-wise.
Wishing you a happy thanksgiving too.

[April]

Fabulous bokeh! I hope you can sit back and enjoy Thanksgiving.

[eDorre]

Love the colors! Fav!

[Kerri]

Awesome shot

[Call me Joe]

Gorgeous bokeh:)

[Babs]

Fabulous shot, you have made icicles look wonderful. You are never to old for toys. David and I are 65 years old and we still buy ourselves toys of one kind or another.

[Tracy]

Stunning :D Fav!

[KWind]

Fav...this is marvellous!

[Boxplayer]

Really striking!

[Sheralee S]

Nice to hear you will have another Danbo. Beautiful shot here Taffy, I love the pretty bokeh and gasped about the icicles!

[Sally Ings]

Fantastic abstract capture

[Margo]

Love this Taffy. Amazing A Fav

[Jan Rose]

Really nice, love your bokeh.

[Jan Rose]

fav.

[Lee-Ann]

Lovely bokeh

[Darlene]

What a great gift for your birthday. Gotta love a Mom that does not ask why or knows and just goes along with it. Love your photo, Taffy. The icicles are awesome and love your creativity and all the colors of bokeh. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours. FAV

[Sam]

ooohhh I like this a lot! Sounds like you are still having some challenges......but your Mum is good lady ;)

[Danny G.]

A fabulous, bokehlicious shot and a fav. Happy Thanksgiving!

[Jasmine]

Fantastic! Fav.

[Steve Angell]

It's cooling down in London but as I write this in my dining room it's very sunny and dry and still 50F outside. I am glad it's not like this...but it does make for good photographs. Great bokeh!

[Denise (lyndemc)]

Chicago sparkles and shines in this image! Little early for icicles though, isn't it. This is some crazy fall weather we're having. Congrats to you on your bravery in approaching the balcony again. Bless your mom for her understanding about needing a new Danbo in your life. Looking forward to the introduction pictures.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your husband.

[Bill Fenske]

Happy thanksgiving to you too Taffy. Awesome image, sad to hear about the roof, that just doesn't make sense to me.

[Julie Duncan]

WOW! Cool shot!

[Richard Hickey]

Congratulations on making the Trending Page. Well deserved.

[Paul H]

That is cool how the ice picks up the yellow color cast

[gloria jones]

Fabulous focus and bokeh

[Sarah Munnings]

Gorgeous bokeh and icicles..........and YAY! for your mum......that is seriously fab that she is buying you a Danbo for your birthday. btw I can't believe you have icicles already

[Taffy]

@pixiemac Thanks Sarah! Yep, a really nice mom, and how many people my age can still have a mom to buy her presents -- very lucky. Fortunately, the icicles only lasted one night -- so good that I was able to catch them. Hopefully we won't see any for awhile at least!

[Elisabeth Sæter]

Beautiful bokeh

[Pam Knowler]

Something else to give thanks for Taffy - you still have your Mum buying you birthday presents!! How lovely and especially as it will be a Danbo - she knows you too well and knew just what you needed!! The roof problem sounds horrendous - what a blow!! I hope you can get away on your two breaks and leave all of this behind. A holiday is just what you and Jim need!!

[👑 AnaZad]

Wonderful capture and bokeh. Wishing you a happy Thanksgiving day, enjoying your family and leaving aside your saga for the day.

[Elizabeth]

Love this colorful bokeh of lights! Wishing you a peaceful Thanksgiving
celebration of all things that are good. The rest will wait.

[elkehochban]

Gorgeous shot! I'm guessing that before all this is over, you'll be over your fear of heights.

[Rachel]

Brilliant bokeh, fantastic and fav again!

[Taffy]

@timandelke Thanks Elke! I hope you are right about getting over fear of heights while here!

[Joan Robillard]

Ouch, I just redid my roof and it broke the bank. On the good side this is a very cool picture.

[Tony]

Love the silhouetted icicles.

[Islandgirl]

Love the colorful bokeh!
FAV

[Janiskay]

Love this capture and by the sounds of your new Danbo. Hope you have a nice Thanksgiving.

[Suse♡]

Super clever use of bokeh, I really like this!

[Marnie]

Definite fav.

[Gena Pegg]

Wow...this is really beautiful! Gorgeous focus and love the bokeh!!! FAV

[Nicole]

This is avery pretty picture!! Love the bokeh and the silhouettes! Love the reaction of your mother when you asked for Danbo for your birthday ;). but what a let down that the Insurance isn't covering the roof!

[Margaret Obey]

Wonderful bokeh, fav

[dh (delena)]

I'm sorry to hear that you're having such a hard time. I love the bokeh here. Fav

[Al Bailey]

So pretty! :)
I hope you can sort out the roof with the insurance people!

[Irene]

Great shot. Sorry about the insurance

[Kathie]

Cool view.

[Brigette]

love how opaque the bokeh looks - great image