A quick update on Billy Connolly: he’s starting to flower.
Here he is from a distance.
He’s already claimed a life, however.
That bee you see clinging to the underside is dead, Jim, he’s dead!
In any event, what with the flowering and such, Billy gets to live for a while longer.
In the meantime, I did a little research on thistles.
According to Cunningham’s Encyclopedia of Magical Herbs (by Scott Cunningham), thistles are mighty handy to have around. A thistle blossom carried in your pocket helps to guard you (against pickpockets at the very least), throwing thistles into a fire will deflect lighting from your house, and by boiling thistles you can even commune with spirits. What was most surprising to me, however, is Cunningham’s claim that “Wizards in England used to select the tallest thistle in the patch to use as a magical wand or walking stick.”
Really? It certainly wouldn’t be my first choice. On the other hand, when I cut down Billy, I’m going to see what I can do to turn the trunk into something that can be carried without requiring medical insurance.
Oh, and the green, soft-needled ground cover with lovely blue flowers is making a strong come-back — although there don’t seem to be any lovely blue flowers now.
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I don't give a damn 
MikeWJ at TooManyMornings
July 16, 2010
Thank you for the update on Billy, who’s starting to look majestic. I’m glad the ground cover with the lovely blue flowers is coming back, too, because I thought it was very nice to look at.
The only thing I’m wondering about now, is you. Are you sure you’re not so lonely that you’re inventing imaginary friends, or perhaps being turned into a gardner against your will by evil suburban spirits? If so, perhaps you really ought to put that thistle blossom in your coat pocket, or make it into a tea and have a “dialogue” with whoever shows up.
Frank Lee MeiDere
July 16, 2010
You’re closer than you think. Right now I’m just starting to play with the idea of a column, The Reluctant Suburban Gardener.
MikeWJ at TooManyMornings
July 17, 2010
I think that would be terrific. If you can hit the right tone–pissed off yet intrigued–it’ll be hit. I see a book, a television show and, sadly, an appearance on Oprah. You’ll be so rich, you won’t know what to do with the money. But Sam will.
Frank Lee MeiDere
July 17, 2010
Sam always knows what to do with the money. Unfortunately, with summer half over, I think the column might be a bit late. But I can get the “pissed off” tone I think.
00dozo
July 16, 2010
Love your new hairdo! ;-)
A former boss of me mum’s is a Scot and said that, if you have a thistle in your yard, you are “blessed”. And (in the last picture), it looks like you have a nice little ivy plant there beside the clover.
Ha! I can just see you dressed up in overalls – like the ones in the movie “Secondhand Lions” – tending to your garden. A picture of you dressed like that would go well with your column.
Frank Lee MeiDere
July 16, 2010
An ivy plant. Is that what it is? It seems to have just popped up recently, but then maybe I wasn’t paying attention.
Ziva
July 16, 2010
You know, I read this post earlier while I was at work, and since then I’ve done a lot of thinking. And I’ve finally come a conclusion. I want my next magical wand to be made from a thistle. Yes, I’m sure.
Frank Lee MeiDere
July 16, 2010
Well, I’ve decided I’m going to try making it into a magic wand when I cut it down, so I’ll let you know how that goes.
Leeuna
July 16, 2010
Is that a bloom on Billy or is it called “down”? As in the poem, ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas?
He sprang to his sleigh, to his team gave a whistle,
And away they all flew like the down of a thistle.
Just asking.
Frank Lee MeiDere
July 16, 2010
As Flo points out later in these comments, the “down” is when it goes to seed. Looks very much like the dandelion seeds that you blow on to make wishes and such. When it gets to that point I’ll snap another shot (and then immediately clip them off since we don’t want seeds spreading all over the neighbours’ lawns).
Leeuna
July 19, 2010
Well, yeah, but only if you like your neighbors. ;)
nonamedufus
July 16, 2010
A thistle in your pocket? Well it might stop you from scratching your privates in public. But then, given your description of downtown St. Catharines you may not have to worry about that anyway.
You know there’s a “Kill Bill” joke here somewhere just waiting to be told.
Frank Lee MeiDere
July 16, 2010
Is that a thistle in your pocket, or are you just being a little prick?
Flo
July 16, 2010
Well, it is nice to see Billy blooming. And since the surgery my sight is much better, thank you, so I do know you are the one on the left. And, though I may be just a wee bit prejudiced, I think you are handsome. But then, I always have.
Just a note to Leeuna – the ‘down of a thistle’ is the seeding stage, just like dandelions when they go white. The wind blows the white fluff with seeds on the end, and they plant themselves wherever they land. Just wanted to clear up that little confusion for you, dear.
Leeuna
July 19, 2010
Thanks Flo. I’m easily confused. So I know what to call the dried-up bloom on a dandelion now…or would that be called downdelion? :)