Monday, April 18, 2016

O: 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.

Operose: involving great labor or industrious. (like doing the A to Z!)

Oregano is used as a spice and food preservative and is an antioxidant. In ancient times it was thought to be a remedy for narcotic poisoning.

Origins of Life is a much debated subject that lends itself well to science fiction stories. Did the first life come to Earth from space, accidentally or on purpose, or did life start in some primordial soup in a process called bio-genesis? What it an act of God?  Since there are so many questions about the origin of life, it leaves things wide open for writers of fiction.

What do you use oregano for? Not posing as something else, I hope. Do you find the A to Z challenge operose? Have you read any great stories about the origins of life?

"The cosmos are within us. We are made of star-stuff. We are a way for the universe to know itself." Carl Sagan


23 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

In science fiction, life could come from anywhere.

Ann Bennett said...

A little oregano can go a long way. I know it is used in Italian cooking. But, we put it in cornbread chicken dressing and fresh sausage.

Leanne said...

As a christian I am completely on board with God creating life on earth - but that doesn't stop me enjoying a good sci-fi story that tells of our origin completely differently! Leanne @ cresting the hill

Maria Zannini said...

Oregano is a staple in our house. Ann is right. A little goes a long way.

Nicola said...

I love oregano, especially on pizza. Yum!

messymimi said...

When we first married and i began cooking meals for him, Sweetie told me he loved Italian food. So i would fix Italian, and he would complain. Finally he told me he doesn't like oregano! What in the world!?! What's Italian without oregano? He never complains about the oregano used at Italian restaurants, but at home, he wants Italian with no oregano. There's no understanding some people.

Unknown said...

I use oregano all the time--it's one of those herbs that goes with so many things. Operose is a new word for me--I have to find a way to use it.

@Kathleen01930
Meet My Imaginary Friends
#AtoZchallenge

betty said...

That was interesting about oregano; I didn't know that fact about it regarding narcotic poisoning. We do use a lot of oregano here in our cooking!

betty

Robin said...

The A to Z is definitely operose. I'm starting to feel the weight of it. How about you???

Pat Hatt said...

Life can sure open up many a world with science fiction.

cleemckenzie said...

Now Oregano I know. But where are you finding these words that I've never heard of or read before? I'm feeling as if I should take a vocabulary development course after the AtoZ ends.

Mike said...

Super words, I use oregano in cooking

nashvillecats2 said...

Wonderful words....all with different meanings and the last one is quite debateable.
Yvonne.

Janvi said...

Interesting words...I use oregano for seasoning pizza

J E Oneil said...

In modern times, oregano makes sauce taste good :)

Nilanjana Bose said...

A-Z is a labour of love...does that qualify as operose? Oregano is on the spice rack, use a pinch judiciously now and then where the recipes demand.

Sarah Foster said...

I use oregano all the time! Actually, I think I need to buy some more...

Liz Brownlee said...

Definitely not operose - and I don't find operose otiose (a favourite word of mine)! I've never used oregano... ~Liz http://www.lizbrownleepoet.com

Anonymous said...

The first word fits with my day job very well!

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

mshatch said...

I've used oregano before, but admittedly, I'm not much of a cook.

Patrick Stahl said...

I think I've thrown it in spaghetti sauce before. The Challenge is definitely a lot of work. I haven't read many "origin of life" stories.

Tasha Duncan-Drake said...

Mostly I used oregano on pizza and in bolognese :) The AtoZ is definitely operose - but fun too. I am now playing catch up because I am two days behind on commenting.
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)

The Happy Whisk said...

Oregano, yeppers. I use it often as well.

Have a great week, Susan. Cheers and boogie boogie.