“Die when I may, I want it said by those who knew me best that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow.”(Abraham Lincoln)
It’s thistle season in Kentucky. They grow well here, rain or drought. Actually they grow a little thicker when there’s a dry spell. That’s because when the rains are good, the good grasses crowd out their growing places. But that’s not to say that thistle seed don’t still find plenty of places to land, sprout and grow.
I’ve been told we have these invasive thistles all over everywhere because someone once thought they were lovely and planted them in a flower garden. I’m not sure if that’s true or not, but once in South Carolina, I did see just this thistle obviously planted in a flower garden.
I looked on the internet and think these thistles are commonly called milk thistles. 
Then to my surprise, they are obviously good for something other than feeding birds and making butterflies and bees happy. Birds do love thistle seeds, especially goldfinches. And obviously from the number of butterflies fluttering between the blooms in the fence rows of our hay fields, so do they. Oh yes, what are they good for you may be wondering. Internet sites say they are good for the liver and gallbladder and numerous other health needs. A supplement is made from the thistle seeds and leaves.
My dad would never believe it. The thistles always make me think of him since he waged war on thistles on the farm while he was alive. He hated thistles. These thistles in particular. He must have chopped down hundreds of them, maybe thousands. Most years that just seemed to encourage them to come back thicker the next summer. Perhaps if we had made tea of them instead (tea made from the thistles is one way to take the supplement), he might have lived longer. The internet sites did make it sound like a miracle working supplement. If I ever have liver problems, I might just give it a try.
But miracle drug, pesky weed, butterfly and bee nectar, whichever, there always seem to be plenty of thistle blooms to admire. And with a butterfly sitting atop them or a goldfinch snatching some of their seeds, they are something to admire.
Isn’t that the way of it? Good and bad to most everything and how we look at it, our attitude toward whatever it is can make the difference. But I’m still not crazy about thistles. Except for the way they feed those butterflies and goldfinches that brighten up the world.
How about you? Do you see thistles or flowers?
As always, thanks for reading.
Comments 6
Whenever I think of thistles, I can’t help but remember the time my mom picked one and put it in a jar. She then placed it in the middle of the kitchen table. When my dad came in for dinner, he hit the ceiling. Like your dad, Ann, he hated thistles and there was no way he would eat at the table looking at one. He had battled them his whole life. I think all farmers despise them. I still think the flowers are pretty though. I just don’t mention it around Dad!
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That’s funny. My dad would have been the same, Sherri. He’s probably have felt that way about honeysuckle too but they can look good in a bouquet. I have never cut thistle to add to a flower bouquet, but the thistle bloom might add an interesting touch. Just not when farmers are coming to the table. 🙂
Hi Ann!
If it has a pretty bloom, then I consider it a flower. Or perhaps just a very pretty weed. I’m sure the butterflies and birds don’t really care how it’s classified. They just see a sweet buffet.
Enjoy your weekend, Ann. I’m hoping to see you Saturday at the Gathering. But my car’s radiator sprung a leak tonight. Thankfully I was literally a few feet from home and not on the highway. I’m continually amazed and thankful for God’s blessings, no matter how small. However, it will take a small miracle for a new radiator to be ordered, delivered and installed in time for me to drive to Frankfort. But…I’ll Pray, Believing! I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. So, I may see you Saturday…or the next time. In the meantime I’ll enjoy visiting your pages. The pictures are lovely!
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Too bad about the radiator, Lavon. I was looking forward to seeing you. If you don’t get the radiator fixed, round up a book loving friend and offer to buy her lunch. 🙂 But if I don’t see you tomorrow, there will be other opportunities. Glad you were close to home when you had car trouble.
Yes to your question. Thistles ARE flowers! Thanks so much for sharing. Brought back many memories of chopping out “thicker bushes” on the farm. Blessings, sweet writer. Keep seeing the good.
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I’m sure you always see flowers, Kristy. That’s the right attitude for all of us. You know, if you get lemons, make lemonade. If your field gets overgrown with thistles, enjoy the butterflies. 🙂