“Opportunity only knocks once”
Proverb Quote
The original idea for this blog was to do a take off on the classic Knock! Knock! joke, but it has now morphed into a dialogue about lost and found opportunities. Weeks ago I had this idea to blog my picture collection of door knockers that I've taken over the years. I culled my picture files and found over 60 pictures that I might use for the post. I was disappointed that my earliest pictures taken in Florence sometime around 2003 were lost, victims of a computer virus. I had a printed version that I thought could be copied and reproduced here. But any good idea is only as good as its immediate execution. To be honest, I'm afraid to publish too often, too soon. The majority of my readers are silent, so I can't determine if they like my postings or are annoyed by them.
So I procrastinated. And sure enough, someone else, came up with and posted their pictures of door knockers in Florence first. And now I feel like I am copying their idea. However in discussing this with a friend at La Bergamote the other day, she reminded me that every story has been told, every picture has been taken; it's in our retelling, that makes them personal and unique. Or at least that's what I think she implied.
“Most people are so busy knocking themselves out trying to do everything they think they should do, they never get around to what they want to do.”
Kathleen Winsor
It's true. It's not like this hasn't been done before. I've seen pictures of door knobs and door knockers through the years. I think what really bothered me is that the post in question Knocking on Doors in Florence... may actually have pictures of doors I too have taken.
"Even when opportunity knocks, a man still has to get up off his seat and open the door."
Anonymous
So today, I dug out that print of my Florence knockers and scanned them. Surprisingly, only one of my pictures is the same photographic subject as posted on the Italian Notebook.
(P.S. These early photographs were made with the Olympus Camera with 4.0 MegaPixel and have been scanned. These pictures are not as detailed as the subsequent photographs in this posting.)
“The air is full of ideas. They are knocking you in the head all the time. You only have to know what you want, then forget it, and go about your business. Suddenly, the idea will come through. It was there all the time.”
Henry Ford
Knock! Knock! Who's There? Roger's Photos of Door Knockers. Enjoy!
“Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.”
Alexander Graham Bell
I've always liked this quote by Mark Twain...
"Never put off until tomorrow what you can do the day after tomorrow."
However in this day of rapid communication, I should start living by his other quote...
"I was seldom able to see an opportunity until it had ceased to be one."
8 comments:
Those hand door knockers look like something out of a old school horror movie! Very Cool Legend.
I love a nice collection of knockers (as my friends will attest). I especially liked the rooster one (with the 9 above it). I love that someone took the time to design and make something so beautiful. Not a round button of bakelite that sends a horrible "ding-dong" but a work of art to announce visitors! Well done, Roger!
What a lovely collection, Roger! I can appreciate the time you invested in gathering these photos. You have such a good eye. Never mind that someone else published some of the same. The important aspect of your collection is that it is YOUR EYE that put together the subjects, in an order that is balanced and very interesting.
Thank you, Roger, for this lovely Valentine's Day surprise!
Maida
Vintage knockers, very nice Roger!
Happy Valentine's Day! Roger
“Sometimes we stare so long at a door that is closing that we see too late the one that is open.”
Alexander Graham Bell
such a nice quote!
What a wonderful Valentine's Day surprise! The door knocker photos are absolutely beautiful!
Bravo Roger. Thanks, as always, for sharing!
What knockers! Teehee..you knew I had to. I always enjoy your blogs. They make me feel slightly less far away from you. We had a wonderful little Mr. Pickwick knocker on my house, growing up. Lovely, thanks for sharing.
Post a Comment