Silk purses and pigs' ears come to mind.

Another day, one in a long series, when the great lamp-lighter in the sky forgot to do so.
Photographic inspiration was hard to find and I resorted to investigating the many "effects" built into my camera. This one, known as "watercolour" seemed appropriate for a dark, and especially, wet afternoon.
My mood was cheered earlier in the day whilst helping our local food bank to collect and to sort donations for Christmas meals at a local super-market. The generosity of people is truly heart warming.