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? 

G: 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.

Gammer: An old woman.  Guess that means me!

Goldenseal was used by Native Americans to treat diseases, paint skin and dye clothing. The early settlers learned this from them and nearly harvested it into extinction.

Genetic Engineering is not science fiction. Hopefully, it will be used to fight diseases but the fear is always there that eventually it may be used to design desirable traits instead of letting it occur naturally. I used this trope in my Recon Marine Series of space opera novels.

Have you ever seen or grown goldenseal? Know any gammers? Do you think humanity will eventually go down the rabbit hole with genetic engineering?

"To desire nothing beyond what you have is surely happiness." Carleton Mitchell

F: 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.

Furibund: Frenzied, raging

Feverfew is used by herbalists to treat asthma, fever (of course) and insect bites.

Ferrous metals are those that contain iron. Iron is important in metals because it makes them stronger. The discovery of copper around 5000 BC ended the Stone Age. When iron was discovered in 1200 BC, that ushered in the Iron Age. Since iron makes metal stronger, why use anything else? Non-ferrous metals don't rust like iron-alloyed metals and they're also not magnetic.

Did anyone make you furibund today? Have you seen feverfew as an ingredient in teas? How brilliant were those ancients who thought to alloy metals? Or was it an accident?

"Luck is an art." George Roy Hill

E: A to Z Blogging Challenge & IWSG

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.

Enology: The science of wine or wine-making (viticulture)

Elderberry can be used as an insect repellent, hair dye, and in scented ointments. (It's bark and leaves contain cyanide)

Essential fatty acids. Humans must ingest the nutrients because we can't synthesize them from food.  They include those ones we've all heard of like omega 3 and omega 6.

Did you know the green parts of elderberry were poisonous? Thinking about using that in a novel somewhere? Do you get your essential fats? Have you ever tried to make wine?

IWSG April Version

The world of publishing changes every day it seems. I've read some horrifying things about KU lately and  hope for the sake of writers who have their books on there, that it isn't accurate. Even some of my friends who have been published for a while with some large publishers, are seeing a dip in their royalties. It's a tough world to make it. But it's love of writing that motivates us to try and keep on trying.

"Being defeated is often a temporary condition. Giving up is what makes it permanent." Marilyn Von Savant

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?