L: A to Z Blogging Challenge

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.

Lippitude: soreness of the eyes.

Lavender as a scent has a calming effect that might help with insomnia or ease migraines. It's commonly used in candles and oils.

Laser Weapons Systems (LAWS) is really interesting. It sounds futuristic but the US Navy ship, USS Ponce, is equipped with this direct energy weapon than can cripple or destroy the motors, weapons and sensors of the enemy. It's very accurate and has been very successful in testing. Compared to conventional naval weapons, it's really cheap and involves no transport or storage like regular ammunition would. Very cool. It sounds like something in science fiction but it's here today.

Do you enjoy the scent of lavender? Have you heard of LAWS? Doesn't it sound futuristic? 

"He who commands the sea has command of everything." Themistocles