Tuesday, April 5, 2016

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?


33 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Well, our germs did kill off the aliens in War of the Worlds.

nashvillecats2 said...

That seems an interesting question to ask about our immune sytems and ailiens. Something to think about when I have a quiet moment.
Yvonne.

Glenda Cates said...

It is fun coming here and learning about new words and facts you share with us. As for Dill I do not use it and I do not like Dill Pickles. And as for writing I do not do that either.

Unknown said...

Great lesson. Had to google Dill...still not sure I know what it is. But anything witches use if considered intriguing in my book.:-)

mshatch said...

I actually use a bit of dill in a recipe I have for fish chowder. It was my grandmother's recipe. Very delish.

Stephen Tremp said...

Witchcraft and enchantments: that would explain some of my gas properties.

I’m exploring different types of dreams and their meanings.

Stephen Tremp’s Breakthrough Blogs

messymimi said...

While i've heard the name Dobbin before, i had no idea it had that meaning. Dill is delightful, dill pickles do add crunch and a bit of spiciness to an otherwise ordinary sandwich.

The best use of human germs killing the aliens, at least to me, is still the original, War of the Worlds.

Nicola said...

AAww Dobbin was a really character in Harry Potter. Dill seems to be in everything over here in Germany. It is a very herby country :)

Madeline Mora-Summonte said...

I like dill, but in moderation.

Love that Steffi Graf quote! So true.

Pat Hatt said...

Aliens would come and give us germs and then we'd give them germs and then poof, all dead. Maybe that is why they stay away? lol

Anonymous said...

I use Dill at my day job. Now I'm going to be pretending to ward off enchantments whenever I'm cooking. =D

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

Robin said...

My mom has always loved dill. It's been an acquired taste for me. I'm liking it more now than I ever have.

Diseases. Hmm. I suspect that any time something foreign is introduced it's a shock to the immune system. It could be catastrophic for both sides.

Shanaya Tales said...

Wow! That makes me look at Dill in a different light. Interesting to know.

Piper Presley said...

Fun post. Sometimes I use dill when I cook, but it's not one of my favorite spices.

Piper Presley
D is for Deadlines: Blogging From A to Z

betty said...

Hubby uses dill a lot; whatever he makes with it always comes out delicious :)

betty

Jo said...

Dobbin is still used in the UK, or it was when I left. Didn't know dill was good for anti gas and I am pretty sure our diseases would hurt aliens but also theirs would hurt us.

Unknown said...

Salmon is really good with dill; that and pickles; other than that, I don't know what to do with the stuff.

cleemckenzie said...

As I recall, Dobbins was what most of the books with horses and farms called the horse. Old Dobbins. Head down, harnessed to a plow. That name always evokes my empathy for horses.

Sarah Foster said...

Interesting uses for dill! That term usually just makes me think of pickles...

Beth said...

I dill on fake pizza. (Pillsbury crescents rolled into a dough) baked, spread with cream cheese, sprinkled with deal and a little bacon.
Interesting theme.

susanbruck.com said...

As a fellow Susan, I wanted to check out your blog when I saw it on the A to Z list. And I'm glad I did. I love dill--it's a culinary herb, so I don't think it's dangerous, although maybe in the hands of a black witch.....Hmmm. Anyhow, I often grow it in my garden and I think it's pretty and delicious!

Ashmita from Chaoticsoulzzz said...

Interest D Day Post!

Ashmita Chatterjee
chaoticsoulzzz.wordpress.com

M.J. Fifield said...

I love the word 'Dobbin.' I don't cook or need to ward off witchcraft or enchantments, so there's never any dill in my house (not even dill pickles). And I can't imagine we would tolerate alien microbes well.

J E Oneil said...

I don't think alien diseases would have any effect at all on us (or vice versa). A lot of them aren't even communicable based on different species. An alien race with billions of years of different evolution wouldn't even sneeze! :)

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I bet dobbins are draft horses. Such beautiful animals. I have a Pinterest board dedicated to draft horses.

Sharon Himsl said...

It must be fun to write a book where you can actually use these words. Had not heard of dobbins.
Pioneer Women in Aviation A-Z


Elizabeth said...

I've never heard of a dobbin before, but I have used dill in cooking a couple times.

Mark Paul said...

Fascinating post. Herbs are amazing in what they can do in all regards.

Thank you for stopping by my page. This was a last minute decision on my part.

For everyone else, hope you have a chance to stop by and check out my A-Z Challenge. To say the least it is very unique, you could even say Biblical.

Mark Paul said...

Ooops

Here's the link

http://lettersfrompaul1960.blogspot.com/2016/04/a-z-challenge-names-and-places-in-bible_3.html#comments

i b arora said...

steffi graf quote, how i admired her as a player

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

So that's why all pantomime horses end up being called Dobbin. Makes sense now. I like dill in small quantities, but it's not one of my fav herbs to cool with. Hmmm ... alien infection ... mostly I can only think of the infected to procreate idea - like Doctor Who The Arc in Space :)
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

Michelle Wallace said...

When I saw the word dill, I immediately thought of those tangy pickled cucumbers we poke on toothpicks with little cheese squares when we make quick snacks.
Writer In Transit

Unknown said...

I don't cook with Dill but it's interesting to find out about its use from way back. How did they come up with the name, 'Dobbin'? :-) #AtoZChallenge