Shakespeare Challenge: in a pickle

I really hadn’t planned to tackle the Shakespeare Challenge today. For one thing, we’ve run out of pickle. There’s a jar of something vaguely lumpy and yellow in the back of the fridge that Anniemay turns to every Christmas, but I’m not going anywhere near it. So what to do?

This of course, for you scholars out there, is a handy example of Shakespeare’s turn of phrase. A bit of a pickle; a quandary; a difficult situation. Then click - lightbulb moment.

Our garden faces East. “The morning sun, when it’s in your face, really shows your age ….” Rod Stewart can be so cruel - but he has a point. The apple blossom that I tried to capture yesterday is a washout of white and cement dust (from the patio refurbishment). In a corner of the garden, only just still in shade, is this; Dicentra Spectabilis, or Bleeding Heart.

I find myself in another pickle. This particular blossom is about 6” from the ground, at right angles to where I’m kneeling and moving in the early morning breeze. I’ve already had two coffees and I’m not getting any younger. So thank goodness for Image Stabilisation and flip-out screens.

This image is a testament to modern sensors and good lenses. It’s a large crop from the original frame. I show it to Anniemay; “you’re going to mention lenses again aren’t you”.