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Saturday, April 9, 2016

H: A to Z Blogging Cahllenge

For my 2016 A to Z Challenge, I’m sharing three facts for each letter. The genres I write and love to read are mostly science fiction and high or epic fantasy. In fantasy, there is often magic associated with crystals or metals. They also used herbs both for medicine and for magical spells. Each day I will post a short description of an herb or a mineral you might find in medieval or fantasy writings. For the record, most of the herbal remedies I’ve investigated are not recommended by the FDA. Many are actually poisonous and dangerous. As tribute to my second love, I will post a scientific fact that may deal with physics, biology or health science. And because another name for a writer is wordsmith, each day I’ll share a strange word that I would probably never use in my writing, but that amuse me in some way. So enjoy my trio of quick facts. And don’t forget to visit the IWSG site where we’ll share a writer’s resource for every day of the challenge.

 Hirudinoid: Like a leech

 Hematite is also called bloodstone by some and it is believed to aid in healing. Many people today wear hematite jewelry. It also is the main ore mined for iron so you can see how it plays into medieval culture.

 Hybrid Animal: There are real and not fantasy creatures. Though unlike distantly related creatures like lions and eagles can't be cross-bred, animals more closely related can. Check out some of these like this Zebroid. (Zebra crossed with any other equine)

 Tomorrow is Sunday and that means no posting on for the A to Z Challenge. You can use the day to catch up and visit more blogs or just take a break. 

 "Take rest: a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop." Ovid

 Do you every wear hematite or know someone who does? Ever see a hybrid animal in person? I've seen some beefalo before. Are you taking tomorrow off? 


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28 comments:

  1. Tasha Duncan-DrakeApril 9, 2016 at 5:45 AM

    I love hematite - I used to wear some, but not lately. I don't remember every seeing a hybrid up close. I am trying to catch up today so that I can take tomorrow off :)
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

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  2. RajlakshmiApril 9, 2016 at 6:32 AM

    I have never seen an hybrid animal. A Zebroid sounds like an interesting animal.

    Visiting from A to Z Challenge
    Co-host Pam's Unconventional Alliance Team
    A Whimsical Medley
    Twinkle Eyed Traveller

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  3. nashvillecats2April 9, 2016 at 6:35 AM

    What a lovely creature that Zebra cross is.
    Great post Heather,
    Enjoy your week-end.
    Yvonne.

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  4. Alex J. CavanaughApril 9, 2016 at 8:34 AM

    Looks like the zebra part is still the most dominate.
    Enjoy the day off!

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  5. KatyTrailCreationsApril 9, 2016 at 9:01 AM

    Had a neighbor with a wolf/some other dog mix. Seemed like it was always in a kennel behind their house.
    Happy Saturday to you!
    Stephanie Finnell from
    @Randallbychance
    Katy Trail Creations
    Stephanies Stuff

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  6. Luanne G. SmithApril 9, 2016 at 9:12 AM

    Didn't know zebras could be crossbred with other horses. What a strange but beautiful outcome. Enjoy your rest day during the A to Z!

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  7. M.J. FifieldApril 9, 2016 at 9:17 AM

    I've never seen a hybrid animal in person, just in pictures. The Zebroid is pretty!

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  8. UnknownApril 9, 2016 at 9:22 AM

    Hello, fellow wordsmith! I'm so glad I found you - we're doing something (kinda sorta) similar on the A to Z Challenge.

    Zebroid? That's a new one to me! :)

    Julie Valerie - A to Z Challenge
    Menu of Ways to Be Happy
    http://www.julievalerie.com/thesaurus-tyrannosaurus-h/

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  9. Pat HattApril 9, 2016 at 9:37 AM

    I've seen a few hybrids before, the cat is one after all, just not funny looking haha

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  10. NicolaApril 9, 2016 at 10:11 AM

    A dear friend of mine bought me a hematite necklace to promote good health. I'll be making use of tomorrow's day off to recharge for next week :)

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  11. cleemckenzieApril 9, 2016 at 11:01 AM

    I've seen Ligers (hybrid lion/tiger) in pictures, but they weren't very attractive. They didn't seem to "fit" anywhere. That could just be my narrow view showing up here, but I felt sorry for them.

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  12. Helen HollickApril 9, 2016 at 11:08 AM

    enjoyed this - thanks for sharing!
    from @HelenHollick
    Let Us Talk Of Many Things
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  13. bettyApril 9, 2016 at 11:24 AM

    I think I might take tomorrow off :) At least a bit of it :)

    Can't remember if I have seen a hybrid animal; bet I see one soon though. Its like you hear a word you never heard and then you hear that word again within days :)

    betty

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  14. Sarah FosterApril 9, 2016 at 12:01 PM

    Those hybrid animals were really interesting! I've seen Savannah cats on TV shows before. They have a crazy amount of energy--a lot like their wild ancestors!

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  15. Ann BennettApril 9, 2016 at 12:37 PM

    I'm not keen on hybrid animals. But I do love a mule. They are beautiful animals in my opinion.

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  16. UnknownApril 9, 2016 at 12:40 PM

    I'm a big fan of Hematite--I have earrings that are just gorgeous. Here in Gloucester we have a huge pack of Coywolves--hybrid coyote-wolves. They are just gorgeous but scary.

    Meet My Imaginary Friends
    #AtoZchallenge http://www.kathleenvalentineblog.com/

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  17. J E OneilApril 9, 2016 at 1:55 PM

    Hirudinoid is a really cool name for a bloodsucker. And I think I've seen a mule, although I'd really like to see some beefalo (best hybrid name ever).

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  18. AnonymousApril 9, 2016 at 4:00 PM

    That's interesting that Hematite is called bloodstone since it's so black. I remember a few years ago it was all the rage at craft shows. A lot of jewelry makers had it in their jewelry.

    ~Ninja Minion Patricia Lynne aka Patricia Josephine~
    Story Dam
    Patricia Lynne, Indie Author

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  19. RobinApril 9, 2016 at 4:23 PM

    I know some people who act like hirudinoids. They tend to give those around them hemorrhoids. Funny how that works.

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  20. JoApril 9, 2016 at 4:30 PM

    What an odd looking animal. Not familiar with Hematite. I wear amethyst a lot for good health. Did you notice the typo on your heading today?

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  21. ElizabethApril 9, 2016 at 6:35 PM

    I own some hematite jewelry. Hybrid animals are so strange looking, I like the liger, jaglion, and zonkey :)

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  22. Patrick StahlApril 9, 2016 at 8:46 PM

    I don't think so. I believe so. Probably (though I should write Monday's post and schedule it).

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  23. AnonymousApril 9, 2016 at 8:48 PM

    This is very interesting! I am so glad I found you! I am learning so much.

    http://ffmamas.wordpress.com

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  24. messymimiApril 9, 2016 at 9:34 PM

    While i haven't seen zebra hybrids before, i've seen ligers, which are a cross of lion and tiger.

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  25. i b aroraApril 9, 2016 at 11:10 PM

    interesting

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  26. mshatchApril 10, 2016 at 10:07 AM

    I'm not sure hybrids are a good idea. It reminds me of Prometheus when David (the android) asks Charlie why his people (humans) create him. Charlie's answer was, 'Because they could.'

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  27. JoanneApril 10, 2016 at 2:17 PM

    interesting mix of H words. Very good

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  28. UnknownApril 10, 2016 at 6:56 PM

    I didn't read the fine print and wondered how I got one letter ahead last week, not realizing Sundays are free days in the challenge. Since I've been working from home/writing, I've lost all familiarity with the concept of a 'day off'. I need to work ahead when I can - April is gonna get crazy for me, starting about now.

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