I am noticing that in a lot of my posts I'm commenting about the weather... well I am British and everyone knows that's all we talk about!
Today I've been busy on the computer prepping photos and yes... the weather has been dire, torrential rain for most of the day and dull and grey in between that. I was getting a bit desperate looking for inspiration when I looked closer at my umbrella drying out in the kitchen.
I'll admit I did add a bit of water with a watering can and then used a narrow DoF, upped the contrast and added slight vignetting. Actually I'm quite pleased with it!
Love your story of how this photo came to be. That is such an important part of the process to journalize. Lovely surface with the water drops just hanging in there - almost but not slipping away.