Fire in the sky

I really need to post my Bali photos before I do this, but this is so recent that I need to document it.
I have seen these awesome photos all over the internet, but nobody was saying how it was done.  Then yesterday morning I stumbled upon a website that offered free lessons on how to create such a photo.  I went out and bought my supplies and as soon as it was dark enough, I went out with my assistants (my sons) and attempted to shoot.  One son decided to go shower and the younger one decided he was going to help, but I forgot all about his pyrophobia that he was born with.  Raising a child that was always too scared to blow out candles or hold sparklers was..... well.....I don't know.... I felt sorry that he was so scared.  Anyway, it has improved in his teen years, but he's still fearful and he bailed on me as soon as he realized that fire was involved in my shot.  I was left with nobody but myself.  So here you go.  Me and a ring of fire.

Now, I wouldn't advise anyone to do this without protective clothing.  I was frustrated that I was left alone to do this and forgot to change my clothing. Don't be as stupid as me.  Wear jeans, sneakers and a hoody.  Please put the hood on.  It will keep the sparks from burning your hair off your head.
So tonight, I tried it again, this time with the help of my oldest son and a friend of his.  Friend dressed in proper clothing but older son knew everything and said he was just fine in shorts and flip flops...... yeah...... he felt a few sparks, so he quit.  Not to mention, the mosquitoes that were out in full force!  Wow!!  However, I did a really stupid thing.  I hadn't touched my camera since the night before and it was left on self timer and I forgot and so none of my earlier photos from tonight came out.  I had one last ball of steel wool and one last chance to get the shot right (I turned off the self timer).   I was chatting to a friend on What's App and told her I was going to do this....so Kristine....this shot is for you.