Old Fashioned Corn Chowder

Name: Old Fashioned Corn Chowder
Ingredients: 4 sli bacon, sliced crosswise into 1/2 pieces; 1 c onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice; 2 celery stalks, cut into 1/2-inch dice; 6 sprigs thyme tied together in a bundle; 4 c chicken stock; 4 yukon gold potato, peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice; 4 ears fresh corn, kernels shaved off, cobs broken in half and reserved; 1 c half-and-half; 0.25 t cayenne pepper (or to taste); 0 parsley leaves as garnish, optional