▼

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

W: 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.

 Whiffler: One who clears the way for a procession.

 Willow Bark has been used to treat inflammatory conditions since ancient Egypt.

 Wormholes are tunnels through the fabric of space time. Some physicists believe this is possible according to Einstein's Theory of Relativity.

 Do you believe in wormholes? Ever had willow bark tea? Would you go through a wormhole if we could?

 "Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe." Albert Einstein
at

19 comments:

  1. nashvillecats2April 27, 2016 at 5:37 AM

    All three words were most interesting, Good "W" words.
    Yvonne.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Alex J. CavanaughApril 27, 2016 at 7:41 AM

    Believe in wormholes but don't want to go into one.
    A whiffler could be someone walking fast with corduroy pants.

    ReplyDelete
  3. M.J. FifieldApril 27, 2016 at 9:21 AM

    I don't know that I'd be interested in going through a wormhole. Seems like something that might mess with my vertigo/motion sickness issues.

    And I've never had willow bark tea, but I've used it in books.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousApril 27, 2016 at 10:03 AM

    I've never had willow bark tea, but I do have an inflammation condition so maybe I should try some when having a flare up.

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

    ReplyDelete
  5. Pat HattApril 27, 2016 at 10:08 AM

    I believe wormholes are possible. If I could get back I'd jump through, if not, probably not.

    ReplyDelete
  6. bettyApril 27, 2016 at 10:20 AM

    I think I would like to be a whiffler! What a fun job that could be :)

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  7. RobinApril 27, 2016 at 10:58 AM

    Whiffler. That's a great word.

    Wormhole. That sounds dangerous. Things would have to be pretty bad on this side for me to go through one. After all, it could be worse on the other end...

    ReplyDelete
  8. UnknownApril 27, 2016 at 11:00 AM

    I have always wondered about wormholes. They make for such interesting possibilities.

    @Kathleen01930
    Meet My Imaginary Friends
    #AtoZchallenge

    ReplyDelete
  9. NicolaApril 27, 2016 at 11:23 AM

    There are lots of parades over here in Germany, especially during Karneval time and there's always a Wiffler :) Didn't know what it was called but now I do :) If I had a Starship Enterprise I might venture into a wormhole :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hilary Melton-ButcherApril 27, 2016 at 11:44 AM

    Hi Susan - I know of whiffler - you could do that for the wormholes - Stephen Tremp believes in wormholes ... there's definitely some twisty things up in the galaxy area ... cheers Hilary

    ReplyDelete
  11. cleemckenzieApril 27, 2016 at 1:02 PM

    Hilary's way ahead of me. I never heard of a Whiffler before.

    ReplyDelete
  12. J E OneilApril 27, 2016 at 4:11 PM

    Whiffler is such a funny word. I don't know what it is about it, it's just amusing. And I totally think wormholes are possible. They might be the only way we can get to other parts of the galaxy.

    ReplyDelete
  13. JoApril 27, 2016 at 4:15 PM

    I thought whiffler had another meaning and I checked, it does. Never had Willow Bark tea either. Not sure about wormholes, would want to be sure others had been and returned before I went.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Joylene Nowell ButlerApril 27, 2016 at 5:10 PM

    I Believe. Ever since Mulder asked me. Whether I'd go through a wormhole? Hmm, not sure. Depends on the circumstances. I have a tiny adventurous soul, but it's pretty small and mostly hiding in a safe place.

    ReplyDelete
  15. Shannon LawrenceApril 27, 2016 at 7:37 PM

    As a kid, we used to call willows aspirin trees. I think it was willows, anyway. Not sure why.

    ReplyDelete
  16. CourtneyApril 27, 2016 at 8:00 PM

    A whiffler? I think on Maui, it's the police who clear the way for parades, but maybe there are whifflers too. I remember meeting a woman once at a parade who kept telling people to make room, so maybe she was a whiffler! Maui Jungalow

    ReplyDelete
  17. i b aroraApril 28, 2016 at 12:30 AM

    whiffler, nice word to hear. as for wormholes i sometimes wonder if we are in such a hole

    http://www.obliqview.blogspot.in

    ReplyDelete
  18. Tasha Duncan-DrakeApril 28, 2016 at 4:37 AM

    Yes I believe in wormholes - science seems to suggest they really do exist. Would I go through one if the technology was available? Hmm ... depends on if I could come back again ;).
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

    ReplyDelete
  19. messymimiApril 28, 2016 at 7:09 AM

    So my son was a whiffler in the parade! Interesting. No willow bark, but i've used asprin, which i understand is nearly the same chemical.

    ReplyDelete