April 30, 2013

A-Z 2013 the letter Z


Just quickly before reading my "Z" post for today. I apologize for not responding to comments from yesterday ("y" post) yet but Bill's been sick and you know how men can be!

Zephyrus was the god of the west wind in Greek mythology. There were gods for the winds from the other directions too!  Also known as  the god of spring his wife was Khloris (greenery/Flora) and father to Karpos (fruit). Zephyrus is usually portrayed in art as a youthful winged and handsome god. 



There is said to be a famous myth regarding Zephyrus and his affections towards a boy call Hyakinthos and a rival god called Appolon. Zephyrus saw the pair playing in a meadow and in a fit of jealousy used the wind to strike the disk they were playing with accidently killing the boy. It is said that in his grief Appolon a god himself transformed the boy into a larkspur flower.  


I was never much on reading Greek mythology but it struck me as I was struggling through a ton options to find the right "Z" word (not an easy task btw) that I might never look at a larkspur flower the same way again!  







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51 comments:

  1. So that's where the flower name came from ... very interesting, Jen. Thanks for this.

    Hope Ben is better ... oh, yes, I so know how men can be. :)

    We made it! Loved coming in here, reading your great posts, and look forward to many more visits in the future.

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  2. Interesting. I too will never look at a larkspur the same way again.

    And yeah, lol, Z was not the easiest letter to do.

    I'm so glad we "met", Jen! I look forward to visiting in the future. :-) !

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  3. Oh, and sick men... I've long said they all want their moms when they get sick. :-) A wife will do in a pinch. :-)

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  4. Hope Billl is better soon. Never heard that Greek story before but good on you for finding it,yes Z is a tricky letter.
    We done it! We finished,Ive loved your posts and well done on getting to the end.

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  5. What a fun bit of history/lore to wrap up the challenge! I hope Bill is feeling better! Happy A-to-Z 2013! ~Angela, Whole Foods Living, http://www.wholefoodsliving.blogspot.com/

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  6. Thanks for the education. I have learned so many little tidbits in this A-Z challenge - now the trick is to retain it! Seems all I ever retain is water!

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    1. Silvia,
      I found the part about the flower to be the most interesting part of the myth!

      Teresa,
      Z is a horribly difficult letter especially with you know who acting like a big you know what :)

      Anne, I will tell Bill you said so!

      Angela, I agree Angela, I enjoyed everything i learned from you! Will send your good wishes to hubs...

      CL, Isn't it amazing how much there is still to learn.

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  7. Congrats on a great finish! That west wind is really blowing at my house right now:)

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  8. You managed to post with a sick guy in the house? Congrats on that alone...LOL. Hope he feels better soon.

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  9. Hope Bill is better soon. We all need a rest now! It's been great fun.

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  10. So, is that the kind of flower it shows him with in the picture?

    Get well, Bill!

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  11. Those Greek gods are jealous lot. Though I have to agree that I am not one for the Greek myths all that much either, they are fun to read in the children's editions. Congratulations on making it all the way. My last post will be tonight. God bless, Maria at Delight Directed Living

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    Replies
    1. Sharon, Thanks I appreciate I. Keep your head down :)

      Zoe, I'm a amaZing what can I say. Really he took a long nap ) He's on meds now..better days soon...

      Sally, I'm sure he will with all these good wishes. Go rest my friend!

      Ms A, I guess if he really like him he would like the flower too, don't really know!!

      Maria, lots of drama in the greek myths, don't we have enough in real life? I'm with you but it was a convenient Z.. Great finish Maria!

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    2. Hi Jen. I hope Bill is feeling better by now. Saying a prayer for him. God bless, Maria at Delight Directed Living

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    3. Thank you so much Maria he is now that he's gone to the doctor and is taking the appropriate medications.

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  12. love those Greek myths! Have enjoyed reading your posts! Happy days to you!

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  13. I don't think I'd come across that god before. So much of what we do today and some words are influenced by Greek mythology.

    J.L. Campbell writes Jamaican Kid Lit

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  14. Thank you for reminding me of Zephyrus . . . AND - I NEVER knew the rest of his family - simply brilliant - You went all out for "Z" (wish I'd thought of it . . )

    Thank you for all your sharing,
    -g-

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  15. That Zephyrus was a handsome guy! :)

    I had great fun with this challenge. Congratulations on finishing.

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  16. I've always loved Greek myths. Can't remember if I read about this before though. Seems like new info to me. Interesting info!

    Congrats on finishing the A-Z challenge! High five!

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    1. Kathe, They are interesting aren't they? I'm so happy we've done!

      JL I would imagine you're right with all that drama and intrigue.

      G, I didn't really know about him before Z day.

      Lyndagrace, yes he was with his wings and all!

      Dee, I'm glad you enjoyed the little bit of greek myth I found for my Z day today.

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  17. Sick Guy and Greek Gods....now that's a combo worthy of the last letter and a good reason for absentee commenting. I just knew you were going to come up with Zeus...I've heard of him, but not the other ZephGuy. Good thing they weren't romping through the pastures in West Texas...he'd have blown up a dust storm and the lark would be full of spurs...I mean stickers...spurs, too.

    What fun I've had visiting your blog and AtoZ Posts. Thank you so much for being a Follower and for all your fun comments. I'll be keeping in touch through my AtoZ Blog Roll.

    I've always wanted to visit a Zelda! The chance of the "break your heart/ terrible part of the experience keeps Zelda at bay. Guess I'll stick with my Quilters Zodiac Horoscopes. Thanks for your work in making the Challenge a big success, and for your visits to my blog.
    My Letter'Z'...Quilters Zodiac
    Sue CollectInTexasGal
    AtoZ LoneStar Quilting Bee

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  18. Greek myths are always so full of awesome..

    My husband is the same way. Everything he's sick, he thinks he's got the Black Plague. Ugh!

    Hugs!

    Valerie Nunez and the Flying Platypi

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  19. I have been so happy to have met you! I am anxious to come back often and get to know you better. You are on my "forever list" now. Congrats on making it to the end

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  20. Jen,

    Such an interesting post. I hadn't heard of this story, and I do love the Greek mythology stories.

    It was really nice to meet you on this blog hop challenge. We made it to the end!! But not the end of my visits. I'll be back. :)

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  21. I'm also not familiar with this character in Greek mythology. Now I'm curious about larkspur flowers. It's been fun going through another A to Z with you. I've really enjoyed your stories, photos, and comments! Hope your hubby feels better.

    Julie

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  22. I remember having to make up a Greek myth in college and thinking mine was so clever. Everyone ended up getting a 4.0 on the assignment. Did our professor even read them? I don't remember hearing of this myth. Interesting.

    Does Bill tell you that he is dying? That's what my hubby does. At least he admits that he's a baby when he's sick.

    Jen Hemming and Hawing Again

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    1. Sue, you know what we call those little things that stick to you when you walk in the woods here in Virginia? hitch hikers! You know I never want to write the predictable try to be original! Thanks Sue!

      Valerie, big baby huh? Bill finally went to the doctor yesterday. He waits until he's dying then comes home dying more :)

      Karen, Thanks Karen I've enjoyed it too! I'm going on vacation at the end of the month and I'm going to get one of your books to take with me on my trip!

      Julie, I really wasn't sure if they grow around here, I think they might be more of a California flower, not sure though!

      Jen, I never went to college I worked then married young but my kids all went! And yes Bills dying haha! I think today's better with the meds the doc gave him. Thanks for asking...

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  23. Thanks for sharing this journey through the alphabet! I enjoyed getting to read your posts and your comments. Such a window into one's mind these little snippets of prose are!

    Blessings and hope your husband is well soon. No matter how much work they are when they are sick, we always wish them well and back into their normal (ornery) state! :)
    tm

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    1. thanks you've been very nice, how I've enjoyed this month, And I do appreciate your get well wishes to Bill he's on the mend. Now we begin the new drama! Sharing a computer...my laptop is in the shop for repairs...oh my!

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  24. And either will I, Jen! I would love to be more literate/knowledgeable about Greek mythology. Great job Jen on the A to Z journey.
    Poor Bill! I KNOW exactly how he feels! It's tough being a guy you know!! I heard that!!

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  25. No worries for not responding to comments. Life comes first my dear :)
    I love reading about greek mythology. I've never heard of this one before.

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    1. Thanks for understanding, since yesterday I'm having a bit more life. My laptop is in for repair so I have to use Bill's. It's like sleeping in a strange bed, going to the bathroom on a strange toilet...hate it!!

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  26. Well you taught me something new! I was going to say men can suck the life out of a room when they are sick - but they suck it out of the whole house don't they? Anyway, I hope he feels better ;-)

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  27. Oh and congrats for completing the challenge!

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  28. Hi Jen .. I certainly hadn't picked up about the naming of larkspur and like you I will look differently at the plant when I see it growing ... I used zephyr in 2011 .. a gentle zephyr wind blowing through the British Countryside.

    Cheers and congratulations on finishing the A - Z ...

    I hope Bill is better and recovering himself .. look after you too - cheers Hilary

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  29. I love the myths like that but don't read them enough. Congrats on finishing the challenge! it WAS nice getting to know you. :)

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    1. Hilary,
      Great minds!
      Thanks for the good wishes for Bill, I'll pass them on.

      Stacey,
      The myths really are entertaining. Might be a good A-Z theme for next year??

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  30. Huh. Very interesting! I can't believe you're already to Z. That seemed to go by fast. Congrats on finishing. I definitely learned a few things this month from you!

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  31. I've nominated you miss Jen for the Liebster and Very inspiring blogger awards.
    You can check them out at my site.
    No pressure in accepting just wanted to let you know that you are a lovely inspiring blogger who should keep on writing!
    I've enjoyed reading your blog and look forward to see more!
    Best regards
    Miss Bates

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    1. You're very sweet and I'm very honored by your kind words and awards.
      Can I come visit when I get my laptop back from being repaired?
      I'm not quite sure how long it will be hopefully no more than a few days. At this point I'm stealing a few minutes here and there on my husbands computer which is not my favorite thing to do (being in someone else's space)
      Thanks again :}

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  32. I always enjoyed Greek Myth. I recently read a book based on the "Helen of Troy"!

    Thank you for sharing this and congrats on completing your challenge!

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    1. Thanks Nina,
      It was great trading comments and reading your blog! Lets keep it up shall we?

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    2. oh yes! we definitely shall keep it up!! :)

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  33. Congratulations on making it to Z! :-)

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    1. Thanks Ermie I appreciate your visit as well as your good wishes!

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  34. There is something about Greek Mythology that draws me in. Love your Z word. I have been seeing all your alphabet posts in my emails and I am so proud of you! What an amazing success. Hope your man gets better! Nothing worse than a sick man. NOTHING.

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    1. Thanks Angelia, They are something those Greek gods! There's always a story behind the story and packed full of drama!

      Bill's getting better, thanks!

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  35. I am quite the fan of Greek Mythology...& I also know how men can be :).~Mary

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    1. I am so unorganized and out of sorts Mary without my own laptop that I don't know if I sent you an e-mail response to this comment or not. In any case. Bill's feeling better so he's being less of what he was last week :)

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  36. Interesting.

    I love stories like that! X

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