Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE…
“Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” Frank Lloyd Wright
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… Deer in the yard
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… Searching
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… grazing
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… Foliage up close
When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit. Contd Below
This week’s Photo Challenge –CLOSE– is particularly interesting because it focuses on a theme that can be interpreted in several ways. “Close” could be all the things Sara mentioned in the WP post; a feeling, proximity, people, places, and objects. It could also be the ending, unfolding, deciding on a new direction to take, shifting winds, or even the completion or closure of a phase in our lives. When things are up close, we get a chance to observe, examine, and learn from them. However, proximity doesn’t necessarily provide all the answers because, sometimes, when we are in the thick of things, we miss clues and mix up facts. For clarity, we must ask questions… In this week’s challenge, I’ve turned to nature and a few other places for my answers and photos. Stay Inspired: A grazing deer stays close to nature in all weather conditions.
“Many of life’s failures are men who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.” Thomas Edison
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… an emboldened bird
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… I see you
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… fighting comrades
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… Flora growing nearby
Life is odd with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don’t give up though the pace seems slow–
You may succeed with another blow, Contd Below
A while ago, I photographed the birds at my local Sam’s Club and learned so much from them. We often talk about the birds of the air being completely reliant on grace and on their resilience to shift with the winds of changing weather conditions; this is true as they must compete with other prey for food and survival. My favorites were these shots. The first bird battled to get some of the bread I tossed to her comrades. Then she got bolder and came closer. She soon discovered that while closeness could be dangerous, it could also be hugely rewarding. How? Her determination to be fed and to survive was fired up. Because she dared to come close, her fear diminished. Because she wasn’t discouraged by the other fighting, fickle birds, she got fed. Press on!
“When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” Alexander Graham Bell
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… Tangy lounging on a laptop
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… Ready for his closeup
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… Tangy Take 2
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE…Rain or shine, he plays.
Success is failure turned inside out–
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit–
It’s when things seem worst that you must not quit. – Author Unknown
Our family cat is a study in steadiness. From the first day we picked him up at the animal shelter, Tangy has been a playful, steady and loving companion. He loves to cuddle and sit up close whenever we gather at home. He loves his close ups too and has taken to modeling like a pro. Closed doors are meaningless to him; he goes about accomplishing his goal of pushing things under the door until someone opens it to retrieve them and then he playfully does it again… moving from door to door until he finds one he can open. And he does. Doors open and close on us all the time; that is the nature of life. It would be foolish to linger at a closed door in a vast world with endless opportunities. It would be equally foolish to assume doors close only on other people. They close on us all; sooner or later, somehow, some day. As Donne wrote “Therefore, send not to know for whom the bell tolls, It tolls for thee…” Tangy teaches us to play and press forward. More below!
“Forbear to judge, for we are sinners all. Close up his eyes, and draw the curtain close; And let us all to meditation.” 2 Henry VI 3.3.33
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… What the eyes see, the heart considers
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… For whom the bell tolls?
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… Meditate
Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE… Ganesha, remover of obstacles
For Whom The Bell Tolls by John Donne
No man is an island,
Entire of itself.
Each is a piece of the continent,
A part of the main.
If a clod be washed away by the sea,
Europe is the less.
As well as if a promontory were.
As well as if a manor of thine own
Or of thine friend’s were.
Each man’s death diminishes me,
For I am involved in mankind.
Therefore, send not to know
For whom the bell tolls,
It tolls for thee.
What the eyes see, the heart considers and then decides how to respond. If each man’s death diminishes us, then we must look up close, meditate on our choices, and examine our own hearts. No man is an island or without fault or sin… the bell tolls for us all, so judging is a slippery slope. As Shakespeare wrote above in Henry VI, “Close up his eyes, and draw the curtain close; And let us all to meditation.” Great idea and I bet Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles and his little aide, the mouse in that close up shot, would agree. Stay close. Have a wonderful and Happy Father’s Day weekend!
Hope you enjoyed this! What are your thoughts? What photos did you share on CLOSE to fit the task? Was it easy/hard to find photos that supported your perspective on the subject? Were you drawn to certain types of photos for the prompt? Do share? Thank you! 🙂 😉
*Please bear with me as I continue to catch up on your blogs and commenting… Thank you all for your patience! 🙂
My fellow bloggers were equally creative with their selections. I listed several via Zemanta below. (I will update it and add more). We all appreciate trackbacks/ping-backs and LIKES from fellow bloggers too! Check out how others interpreted the theme – CLOSE – below. ***
This post was inspired by a prompt from WP Daily Post: Weekly Photo Challenge: CLOSE Close. It’s a feeling, it’s a proximity… it’s people, it’s a place, it’s objects. They’re close.
Share a picture that means CLOSE to you!
Positive Motivation Tip: Not matter how perfect our lives and situations seem, eventually all things have closure. In the shifting sands of life, what truly matters is that we remember the why of it all. Keep on truckin.’ Embrace life. Enjoy it!
PHOTO CREDITS/ATTRIBUTIONS: All Photos from my personal collection.
Until Next Time…
Ask. Believe. Receive. ©
Elizabeth Obih-Frank
Mirth and Motivation
Positive Kismet
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ELiz, my passed away cat whom was a calico was named Tangy. Wow, we have so much in common. I also love your poems never quit and when one door closes another opens. Thanks.
What a surprise! I had no idea… I’m sorry to read that it passed away. When did it pass away? I noticed in some of your posts, you had included a couple of cats too. Sending you healing hugs. 🙂
Brilliant response as always. Love it! Nice bit of Donne to start the weekend went down a treat. I completely understand and share with you the joy of cats getting up close and being playful.
I love Donne too and this post worked well with the message I was trying to convey. Thank you for your feedback! 🙂
Wow, those pics of the deer are great!
Thank you! They are our neighbors and stop by all the time to stand and stare or graze and glare. 🙂
Haha, well we have a field behind our garden filled with dairy cows. They are quite stare-y as well and the break into my garden all the time! 😛 A bit less peaceful then the deer!
Oh, but I love cows. I’ve even written about my love for cows… something about their steadiness and fecundity. The deer are adorable but they eat all our flowers and dig up roots. We still love them. 🙂
Great photos and superb text to match. Excellent post.
Thank you for your comment. I love the photo challenges because they force me to examine the theme’s message from multiple perspectives. 🙂
great photos and words to accompany. I like how the last of the bird photos, the flowers, mimic bird wings. wonderful work, as usual.
(and thanks for the ping!)
Thank you for the feedback too! 🙂
So many beautiful pictures, wonderful.
Thank you Marion! I used up many of my macro shots so I hope these were fine. 😉
Thank You! Just yesterday I was thinking I wasn’t feeling encouraged to press on and there your have it a wonderful post to press on. Thank You. Wonderful photos by the way I see above my head many of them were macro shots, very sharp clear and colorful. One of my cats is a poser too he knows he’s a beautiful cat. :+)
You and me both… Writing helps me sort through the morass and shift moods. Be encouraged and know that everything changes.Thank you for your comment and I’ll be right over to check out your contribution to the challenge. 😉
Thank You. :+) If you get a chance you might enjoy a short read at my blogger friend S. Le she is on my blog roll under I feel unusual the post made me laugh at the sad and the silly parts of life.
Okay I will go back and check it out now… I could use a laugh! TY! 🙂
Thanks for checking it out it is interesting how there can be humor in some of the most difficult parts of life. I am so thankful for humor at times. :+)
Amen to that… I tell you that post made me think again about something that was upsetting me… humor really helps a lot. Thank you for sharing it. It was perfect. 😉
Great interpretation of the theme! Tangy reminds me of Garfield!
Garfield? Oh, Tangy will be very glad to hear that! Thank you for stopping by. I love the photo challenge because we all interpret ours differently. Fascinating too. 🙂
Beautiful photos, Eliz! 🙂
Nandini TY! You are a saint and you know why… 🙂
Loved all… but, partial to Tangy~mkg
Thank you Marilyn and so are we! He has continued to help me with the recent photo challenges so I am grateful to him too. I hope you participated too… Will stop by and comment. 🙂
going to…but, just got back from a mini vacation with my couisin…and need to catch up…~mkg
Welcome back! Get your rest first. 🙂
I love your cat! He seems such a character!
b
Thank you Barb and your Father’s Day post rocked it… TY girlfriend. 🙂
Wonderful photos, Elizabeth! I especially like the statues, actually. Have a great weekend.
Thank you dear one! Will be visiting soon. Have an awesome weekend too. Happy Father’s Day! 😉
Wow this is a really cool post on Close, featuring so many different takes!! Definitely learnt a few lessons on life too~ I particularly loved the Tangy shots, as well as the one of Ganesha! 😀
TY Vanessa and that is why I love the challenge. There are always different takes on it and I learn from how others view it too. Thanks for your comment. Loved your versions. 😉
Looks like Tangy’s tuckered out from typing!
Right, he tuckered out… 😆 He loves warm things; radiators, warm computers, and the TV… It was funny to see him sprawled out on the laptop. TY! 🙂
One word “STUNNING” 😀 Fantastic close “Deer” photography.
Thank you dear Della Bella! 🙂
Ha ha ha … wat a nice new nickname, lovely 😆 You’re welcome
Glad you like it. TY always! 🙂
It is a tricky theme this week, but I love your interpretations
TY sweetheart and always glad to hear from you. How’s the extended family and the grand-kid doing? She’s almost a year now right? 😉
I love all your close ups Eliz – but especially the furry and feathered ones!
TY barb! Hope to see your take soon… And the animals are always helpful to me. Although the birds tend to take off. But these stayed cos I fed them 😆
The cat is so cute. Have a great weekend.
You too Cocomino! Will stop by on this marathon blogging like and cleanup weekend! 😉
lovely photos 🙂
TY for your feedback and I will visit to say hello back. 🙂
Tangy on the laptop is my favorite. Where is the Ganesh statue placed – it has moss or some green stuff on it – is it in a garden or somewhere outside?
TY! I love it too. 🙂 Yes, I’m glad you asked. It’s in my front yard garden. I had a concrete slab built for it to elevate it. It is moss and it has given it an aged, antique look. 🙂
such a great series of images…and i really loved what you shared with us
TY Jo! I appreciate the feedback. Wishing you and yours a Happy Father’s day! 🙂
What a wonderful post. I loved all of the images, quotes, and your words. Nicely done 🙂
Thank you so much and i enjoyed visiting your blog too. 🙂
Thoughtful, considered, beautifully written, wonderfully quoted and brilliantly photographed entry 🙂
TY! You are so kind! I enjoyed this one… Stopping by your blog now. 🙂
Lovely photos!
TY S. Le! I loved your post and haven’t stopped laughing. You’re good! 🙂
Spoiled for choice…
TY and I love your cats… what wonderful surprises. Tangy would love to play. 😉
Just reread your post to see if you say how old your boy is. if you gave the info, my apologies, I missed it. He looks young and full of vim. I have just one cat, but there is a stray ginger who has started visiting and the two have an on off friendship. I have established the stray has no home, and am hoping to get him to the vet to be checked and start the whole rehoming process. Want another? 🙂
Oh its okay! He is 3 years old. 🙂
Oh, a ear older than NotCat. Still pretty bouncy I imagine!
Oh yes and quite the demanding one too. 😆 How about yours? 🙂
Not spoiled. How can you spoil something by loving it? But indulged, yes.
Great… Mine is indulged too. 😉
Beautiful photos , OH! how I love Tangy he must come and visit me!!
You are sweet! I’ll let him know TY! 🙂
Great examples of “close!”
TY so much Fergie dear… Yours was amazing! 🙂
I like your Tangy lounging on your laptop!
TY and I knew you’d like that. It was funny because we saw him and I reached for my camera. He opened one eye and then went back to sleep. Thankfully, the laptop was off. 🙂
very nice and lovely 🙂
Thank you for stopping in Joshi. Glad to see you here. 🙂
Wonderful photos! Lucky to not have scared the gentle deer during the photos.
Thank you and yes, I love watching them in my backyard. TY Frances!!! 🙂
Yes, I really did enjoy this post and have never read the Donne poem in its entirety until now. Thanks, Elizabeth.
Great! Thank you for sharing that… It is one of my favorites and I love reading it again. 🙂
Brilliant post. Used to carry the poem around on a card in my wallet many years ago. 🙂
Thank you and I love that poem too… TY for stopping by. Will visit shortly. 🙂
Closeups make all the difference. I can look at these pictures for day. Thanks!
TY and so glad to see you here. This was a fun one to do… Sometimes the challenges are quite hard to interpret. 😉
You’re welcome, always a pleasure.
This is quite a post – so many diverse imagess of closenss – an an uplifting message to boot! Love the deer, and the bells!
TY for stopping in! It was fun exercise. 🙂
The cats look so beautiful. My favorite among all your beautiful photographs. My second fave is the flowers.
At the beginning when I started to like taking pictures macros and profiles were my favorite to take. I loved getting close up to tiny things or details that not much people notice.
Really great photos, I sometimes find it difficult in taking picture that close up and it actually looks great.