The son who gave me my new camera last Christmas was back this year and gave me some lessons in more things I can do. One was about focusing close-ups. Here are some of my attempts: 
And another: 
My son, in demonstrating, had the good artistic sense to focus on a green leaf among the red ones.
Photo by Jack Young
Here is my effort. 
A few days later I gathered some leaves from the tall ornamental grass in my yard, and did some more practicing. 
The plant outside is much browner now because we had a snowfall the day after New Year’s. I’m enjoying this color while it lasts.
freethoughtandmetaphor 
Jan 04, 2015 @ 15:55:30
Interesting experiments. I like both your and Jack’s versions of the green leaf amid the red.
Jan 04, 2015 @ 23:15:47
Your son is a good teacher, Ellen, and you are a good student. I wouldn’t have focused on the leaf, either, but it made a wonderful exercise in focus. I’ll try it.
The daisies are delightful.