This week, our inspiration and guidance nudges us to… eliminate background distractions, and keep attention where you want it, on the subject.

 In essence, get close.  

Why? Don’t we need the horizon for a landscape to speak? Don’t we need to see a botanical garden from a path to feel it’s strength, or to see a beach in it’s entirety to appreciate it’s tranquility?

Not always. The photo of the boy on the climbing wall, wouldn’t have quite the impact if I took the shot from across a parking lot, would it? Getting close allowed me to capture his strength, flexibly, expression, and emotion.

As someone who does love wide-open spaces, I have learned how close-ups help us develop a connection with a place. When we lean in we collect images that fit together like pieces of a puzzle. Below, snapshots of Arizona show the culture of our indigenous people, along with a glimpse of what plant life thrives in this southwest desert.

And how about abstract art? Those puzzle pieces I talked about are easy to identity in the next photos. Before I get going on my bike, I check the tires, the chain, the gears, and the bell. Yes, the bell, even though I am more of an excuse me type of rider.

And I start my day…

But first breakfast…

I was on my way to a Veterans Day assembly at our local school. Sometimes pieces of the puzzle tell of an event or a moment in time. The white gloves of the Honor Guard, show formality of the ceremony. The flags are indicative of a patriotic event, and the sheet music speaks for itself.  

And as I peddled home with a grateful heart for our military, I realized I also framed this moment in time that belongs to me.

Find out who you are and do it on purpose. – Dolly Parton

Wind Kisses, Donna