J: 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.

Jactation: boastful display or declaration. (like a football player's touchdown celebration)

Jojoba was used by the Apaches and other southwest tribes to treat external conditions like skin problems and to promote hair growth.

Thomas Jefferson loved science and technology. Some call him the father of science in our country. His interests included paleontology, archaeology and agriculture. Tomorrow is the birthday of our third president.

Does jactation in sports irritate or entertain you? Did you know Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virgina? 

"Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from achieving his goal; nothing can help the man with the wrong mental attitude." Thomas Jefferson