Advice?

I've tried taking a picture of this flower with a manual lens and couldn't get it in focus. I've tried taking a picture of this flower with auto-focus and couldn't get it in focus. This was actually taken with a cell phone and is the best yet. Does it simply not have enough contrast for me to get a picture of it? Am I doing something wrong? 

I had a pretty lovely day. I had almost no disequilibrium and when it started, medication took care of it quickly. I pulled together a lunch of co-workers interested in energy and it went well and was interesting and connections were made.