D: 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.

Dobbin: A working farm horse.

Dill was used in the Middle Ages as a sedative and has anti-gas properties. Magicians used it to ward off witchcraft and enchantments.

alien Diseases. How would our immune systems react to an alien microbe? Would we infect extraterrestrials with our diseases? Could our immune systems adapt?

Don't forget that tomorrow is IWSG day. You can combine it with your A to Z post and give some encouragement to others.

"When you lose a couple of time, it makes you realize how difficult it is to win." Steffi Graf

Do you use dill to cook or just enjoy a really good dill pickle now and then? Do you have a favorite science fiction movie where the alien infection trope was used?

C: A to Z Blogging Challenge & QotM

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.

Commensality: The practice of eating together like families do.

Clove is sometimes used as a local anesthetic and antiseptic by dentists. It's also used for toothaches.

Corrosives are chemicals that destroy or damage other substances such as metals or organics.

Do you see how corrosives could be used in a science fiction story? Ever hear of cloves for toothaches? Do you practice commensality at your house?

It's the first Monday of the month and that means the question of the month, a blog hop sponsored by Michael D'Agostino on his blog, A Life Examined. Other participants are on this list.

"What is your favorite thing that begins with C?"

If we're talking about food, I have to say cheese. If we're talking in larger terms, I love my children more than anything.

"He is happiest, be he king or peasant, who finds peace in his home." Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

B: A to Z Blogging Challege

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.

Barm  Another word for beer foam.

Bilberry  Native American used Bilberry to treat diabetes. In WWII, British pilots ate bilberry preserves to improve their night vision.

Beryllium is a gray metal that is stronger than steel while being lighter than aluminum. It can be carcinogenic when airborne. It is a relatively rare element.

Tomorrow, besides keeping up with A to Z, my local writing group is starting a writing challenge of getting at least 50 words written over the next fifty days. I mentioned this last time we did this. It will be a good way to make sure I keep writing on my WIP instead of only doing blogging during this month.

From word to deed is a great space.

Hopefully, I'll get the deeds done this month.

Do like some barm on your brew? Think you could use some bilberry jam? Ever heard of anything made of beryllium?

A: 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.

Anise: used for flavoring and also for treating coughs.

Argon: an inert noble gas used in shielding for industry uses, fluorescent lights and document preservation.

Agathokakological: composed of good and evil, like most people.

Don't forget to visit the IWSG site where we'll be posting a writer's resource for every letter of the challenge.

"Comment is free, but facts are sacred." C.P. Scott

Perfect!

Are your posts all ready for the A to Z Blogging Challenge. Are they perfect?  They don't have to be but you want them to be interesting and easy to read so visitors come back again and again. I finally finished my posts yesterday. Not as soon as I planned but soon enough. On IWSG today, I'm sharing some ideas on what to write about on your posts.

A challenge embedded in the challenge for a writer, is to keep working on the WIP while keeping up with the challenge. Fortunately for me this year, my local writer's group is starting another 50/50 on April 3rd. During the 50/50, we all try to write at least 50 words on our WIP for 50 straight days. Prizes are involved. This will keep my writing during April though I'll do more than 50 words each day. I'm working on book #3 in my Galactic Outlaws series. The second book will be going into edits soon.

I was trapped for most of last week in the editing cave for the final book in The Futhark Chronicles, Heir of Futhark. I don't have a release date for it but editing that book one last time saddened me. Even after reading it so many times, I found I could cry again on the two parts I hope make readers of the series shed a tear or two.

Four out of six children managed to get home for Easter dinner this year. Pretty good number since they're all grown up. One had to work and my daughter couldn't make it home from college. She and her roommates were making Easter brunch for themselves. She's not much of a cook so she was in charge of the mimosas. That's my girl.

I'll be back Friday with the letter A. And then it begins. Relax, have fun and don't worry about being perfect.

"A man all wrapped up in himself makes a small parcel." John Ruskin

How will you motivate yourself to keep up with everything else while doing the A to Z Challenge? Did you get together with family for the holiday weekend? Any last minute advice for Challenge participants.

A to Z Theme Reveal 2016

Only ten days to go. How did April get here so quickly? Today is the annual theme reveal for the famous, world-wide blog hop, The A to Z Blogging Challenge. Not everyone has a theme for the challenge. I didn't have a theme the first year but I have every time since. This is my 6th time participating in A to Z. This year I'm stepping back from being an administrator and taking on the less vigorous duty as Ninja Minion. Find other theme reveals here.

And now the theme:

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.

I've had so much fun researching for this but it's the most work I've done for an A to Z Challenge. Even as I write, a few posts have holes in them I need to fill yet. So much of the science is interesting, I get distracted and end up reading on and on about something I didn't know. And I'm horrified that so many of the plants people drink in herbal teas can be very poisonous. I don't think any of the ones I used are considered harmless.

Only one post for me this week. I'm visiting my mother for a day, hoping to cheer her up a little for spring. I also need to do some work on the outside as the warm weather has started the green things happening a little bit earlier than usual.  Not complaining, even if it means I have to start mowing the grass again. Also, I'm doing a final read-through on the last book in my Futhark Chronicles, Heir of Futhark. I need to get it back to my publisher before the week is out.

I'm not posting again until next Monday, so I'll share this fact today:

76% of people eat the ears of a chocolate bunny first.

It gives me a 'good mom' moment every time I'm reminded that none of my children are candy or sweet eaters. No chocoholics at our house. I've never put more than a few pieces of candy in their Easter baskets even when they were little. But at some point when they were all in their teens, they told me how disappointed they were not to get a chocolate bunny for Easter. So now, they all get one every year. Children are strange.

Did you do a theme reveal today? Are you having a chocolate bunny for Easter? Eat the ears first? Did the calendar start of spring coincide with actual spring weather's arrival at your abode? Do you drink herbal tea?

Happy St. Patty's Day

I'm a day early but how about an Irish blessing to get everyone started ahead of time.

When the flowers bloom, I hope you'll not sneeze,
And may you always have someone to squeeze.

How about some St. Patty's trivia.

The very first St. Patrick's Day parade was not in Ireland. It was in Boston in 1737.
Erin go Bragh translates to "Ireland forever." 
St. Patrick died on March 17, 461 AD which is why we celebrate him on that date.


My best friend besides my husband has her birthday on March 17th. No, her name is not Patty but her twin sister's is. Her twin was born first so she was gifted with the Patty name.

Working and working on those A to Z posts. Theme reveal is coming up so I won't give away what I'm working on but there is science involved. Did you know that our sun makes up 99.86% of our solar system's mass? I'm finding out all kinds of things I didn't know.

Don't celebrate too hard and let me leave you with another Irish Blessing.
May your home always be too small to hold all your friends.

Will you be celebrating St. Patty's Day? Do you like green beer? Do you know anyone whose birthday is March 17th? Is your house too small to hold all your friends?