Mistletoe

Every day this year I have managed to take a photo that I have uploaded to this blog. During Advent I've been on the lookout for mistletoe to add to the series of images in December but it has proved extremely scarce this year. I did see some on Saturday and took a photo and the thought crossed my mind that I may have to cheat and upload a photo not actually taken on the day but fortunately there was a market today and the same stall was here again so I was able to get another photo:

It's a strange plant really being an evergreen semi-parasite and relying on the Mistle Thrush to sow its seed. The Druids believed it belonged to the sun god and their name for it meant "all healing" which was interpreted as bringing enemies together. In turn a kiss under the mistletoe became a kiss of peace. It is seldom used in church decorations but a Christian story relates that the mistletoe was once a tree from which the Cross on which Jesus was crucified was made. In shame it shrank and only continued to live as a parasite.

Holly

When we first moved into our house over forty years ago, there was an old wooden shed at the top of the garden that looked as though it had been built from disused orange boxes. Eventually we decided to buy a new shed thinking that we would only have to lean on the old one and it would fall down. How wrong we were but we did manage to dismantle and dispose of the old one. At the back of the shed we found a small holly sapling no bigger than a twig really but it had a good root system so we transplanted it to the other end of the garden. It thrived! Here is is now dwarfing another shed still going and growing strong. No wonder the carol "The Holly and the Ivy" says of all the trees in the wood the holly bears the crown.

In Christmas and Christianity terms, the white flowers, thorny leaves, red berries and bitter bark symbolise the life of Christ but before Christianity, bunches of holly were fastened to front doors to guard and keep out witches and evil spirits. Today holly wreathes on front doors are regarded more as  a sign of welcome to visitors than a deterrent.

Mexican Red Weeds

A Mexican legend tells of a boy who couldn't go to church on Christmas Eve as he didn't have a present for the Madonna. As stranger told him to pick some weeds and take those which he did with reluctance. The persuasive stranger encouraged him into the church whereupon the weeds turned red.As he turned to thank the stranger he heard a voice saying "Call them Flowers of the Holy Night" which is another name for the poinsettia. On a more scientific note, the plant is actually named after Joel Roberts Poinsett who was the first United States Minister to Mexico and who introduced the plant to the USA in 1828. The may be the truth but it's the legend that explains the plant's connection to Christmas.

Pride In Erewash

The council campaign to instil a little "Pride In Erewash" seems to be falling on deaf ears and my prophecy of yesterday came true all too quickly. As I suspected the tubs in the Market Place were replanted yesterday afternoon and it didn't take long for the vandals to make their presence felt - this soft drinks can I am certain was not placed there by the council workmen. There are plenty of litter bins in the town centre so there is really no need at all for cans to be deposited here.

Empty Tubs

All the plants have been removed from around the cenotaph and from the tubs on the Market Place. Not only is this a sign that summer is over but also a precursor to Ilkeston's Annual Charter Fair in October when the tubs and bollards will be removed to allow the fairground rides to be set up.

First Of The Season

With a picture of a bee on Sunday and a moth yesterday, I could have continued with the insect theme and posted an image of a greenfly today. For most of the day whenever we have left the house we have been plagued by the little blighters - there were millions (literally) of them swarming about! However I decided not to give them the satisfaction of having their photo taken and resorted to my original plan postponed from yesterday.

This peony flower burst from its bud yesterday and became the first to do so. Two more have opened up today and it looks as though there will be two more tomorrow. There are also another twenty plus on the plant so I'm hoping the rain doesn't come and dash the plant down as has been known in the past. I am still astounded at the rate at which the peony grows. Only about a month ago it was hardly showing and now it seems to be growing as I watch it. Hope it's not related to the triffids!

Berries

A profusion of pyracantha and rowan berries caught my eye this week alongside a busy road in Ilkeston. This is just a fraction of the total display and my first thought was that there is a wonderful harvest here to help feeds the birds throughout the winter.


I was surprised to learn though that pyracantha berries are not poisonous and although they are very bitter, they can be cooked and are edible when made into jelly. Rowan berries too are again bitter and also make excellent jelly which is usually served with meat. They have several other uses including being soaked in spirits to form a liqueur or even made into wine and an infusion of the berries can be used as a gargle for sore throats. And here I thought they were just for the birds!

In all things of nature there is something of the marvellous. - Aristotle (384 BC - 322 BC)