Hello @kkgoss@yahoo.com

You can see similar issue replied in this thread http://themepalace.com/topic/elements-on-post-the-sequel/
If you are not satisfied with the solution feel free to ask any query.

Best Regards!!!

Hello @kkgoss@yahoo.com

If you don’t want the option to click on the photo to make it larger the you need to add custom CSS.
If you have added any CSS from the thread I have referenced then you can remove those and follow the steps below:
You need to go to Admin Panel / Appearance / Customize / Theme Options / Advanced Options.
.
In this section you will see a box to write Custom CSS. In this box copy and paste below CSS.

@media only screen 
and (max-device-width : 1024px)  { 
.post-content {
    background-color: #1f1f29;
    padding: 15px;
    position: inherit;
    top: inherit;
    visibility: visible;
    margin-top: 2px;
    margin-bottom: 5px;
}
.post-item a.post-thumb {
    pointer-events: none;
   cursor: default;
}

}

Hope this will help to resolve your issue.
Feel free to post if any confusion.
Let us know hot it goes.

Best Regards!!!

Hello @kkgoss@yahoo.com

Your queries are replied below:

1. Remove links to make photo larger

To remove links to make photo larger you can refer http://themepalace.com/topic/any-way-to-disable-the-hover-over-zoom-on-images/#post-5909 thread as I have recently replied.

2. Remove ovals for eye and link, just leaving the text
3. Keep link active to click onto blog post

For query no. 2 and 3 you need to add custom CSS. Now you need to remove above CSS code as I have provided and copy and paste below code as a whole.

@media only screen 
and (max-device-width : 1600px)  { 
	.post-content {
	    position: absolute;
	    text-align: center;
	    top: 21%;
	    background-color:transparent;
	    -webkit-transition: all 1s ease;
	    -moz-transition: all 1s ease;
	    -ms-transition: all 1s ease;
	    -o-transition: all 1s ease;
	    transition: initial; 
	    visibility: visible;
	    width: 100%;
	    padding: 0 20px;
	    z-index: 88;
	}

	.post-item:hover .post-content, .featured-posts-item:hover .post-content {
	    bottom: inherit;
	    text-align: center;
	    top: 21%;
	    visibility: visible;
	    width: 100%;
	}

}

.fa.fa-eye {
    display: none;
}

.fa.fa-link{
    display: none;
}

Hope this will help to resolve your issue.
Let me know how it goes.

Best Regards!!!