Happy New Year

I probably have an old fireworks photo somewhere on one of my old external hard drives, but it would have taken me forever to find. So, instead, I am using this floral "burst" of warm colour to wish everyone a very Happy New Year! I posted a similar, but closer, photo a while ago. I hope next year will be a better year than this one - wishing you good health, much happiness and contentment, and of course, endless photo opportunities. Thank you all for sharing your amazing photos - I learn about and see new things each and every day, thanks to you. I appreciate so much all your visits and the wonderful comments that you take precious time to write! Happy New Year to my kids, my relatives in various places around the world, my long-time friends over in England and other countries (including old college friends), all my local friends (including those with whom I share a love of birding and botanizing) and last, but definitely not least!) to all my Flickr friends! Happy New Year! And remember - please don't drink and drive if you go out celebrating tonight!

Later: a pile of firetrucks and an ambulance have just rushed to outside my building - I hate this more than anything, I think, wondering just what is happening. A fire in the building would be devastating. This has happened more times than I care to remember and I always get a sick-to-the-stomach feeling very time I hear sirens coming along my street, always hoping that the sirens won't stop when they reach my home. Some of the vehicles have now left, so hopefully all is under control.

9:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and fireworks have been going off somewhere near downtown. I can just see them far in the distance from my bedroom window. No idea why they are going off this early.