Well a slight change of direction this year … for someone with
not a lot of knowledge re animals of any description – be they critters as per
Lenny, or real life animools as per me!
 |
| Theme Reveals from 21 March 2016 The Challenge starts April Fool's Day! - it really does?! |
The story line will cover … as you’d expect … whatever I feel
like posting – but I’ll stick to the theme (vaguely!) ...
 |
| An English Long Horn - the horns grow round the face, while the Texas Long Horn's horns grow up and straight out ... like raised arms |
… having finally got
round to actually writing this introductory post – I find I have a lot of
information, which is a little disturbing, as I’ll have to be arbitrary in my
decisions …
 |
| A Herdwick Lamb - they are born black |
So we’ll go with history, art, poetry, literature, stories,
genetics etc … and whatever else I come across …
 |
| Rare Breeds at Pheasants Hill Farm, Ireland see at site here |
… the advantage is – that IF these posts are short, and I
intend them to be, then I can elaborate on them later on, when I get to publish
them …
So lean in (isn’t that what we’re meant to be doing?) – and enjoy
my take on Rare Breeds … they could well be rarer by the time I’ve finished …
but I know I’ll be much wiser on their hold in what we know as Britain and
their loss over the ice age epoch …
 |
| Dartmoor horse riding - perhaps changing into a Centaur? |
… inevitably – there will be links across to Europe … but I
will try and stick to Britain … though Ice Age Art shows early animals walking
the planet …
That’s it folk for now … I’d better get to letter A … and I
will see you all around …
 |
| I am certain these genes have been bred out?! |
Here’s to a very successful and happy 2016 A-Z Challenge … and
to meeting lots of new friends …
Oh yes –
one thing that’s been happening to me recently on blogger blogs … suddenly the
captcha thingy is ‘working’ (not the word I’d use!!) and it’s a right pain – so
be warned .. check your comment has posted …
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Positive Letters Inspirational Stories
95 comments:
Woo Hoo.
I am really looking forward to your posts.
And yes, the captcha thing is a definite pain in the nether regions.
Your posts are always so interesting every year, so I look forward to what you do with your topic this time :) Do those long horns ever make it hard for the cattle to eat I wonder?
Tasha
Tasha
Tasha's Thinkings | Wittegen Press | FB3X (AC)
What a great theme! I look forward to learning throughout the month.
Elizabeth Hein - Scribbling in the Storage Room
The cave drawing and the horse walking into the house really got my attention. Looks like you have a fun month planned.
Looks like an interesting theme. Best of luck with the challenge! :-)
I have some rare guinea pigs you could include, Hilary..
Great theme
Jemima Pett
Just popped over from your comment on my blog. Yours looks fascinating. Love those Rare Breeds!
Ros, visiting from GenWestUK
I can see this is going to be another interesting, educational, and entertaining AtoZ with you. Look at that English Long Horn...cousin to the Texas Long Horn...who knew!!! Looking forward to April.
Sue at CollectInTexas Gal
That's going to be fun, and educational. But then your posts always are, nothing new :) Brilliant theme!
Sounds interesting. I'll have to make it a point to visit during the challenge.
Now this sounds like an interesting subject, our rare breeds need some love :)
See you in April,
Sophie
Sophie's Thoughts & Fumbles | Wittegen Press | FB3X
I love animals. Can't wait for your posts.
A very fun theme! I'm a big animal lover so I'm very much looking forward to your posts. Cheers - Ellen | thecynicalsailor.blogspot.com
Love the idea, and thanks for the warning about captchs - quite a pain but for blogs like yours well worth the time!
I didn't know we had long horn cows for a start. I thought the rear end of the horse sticking out of the doorway was funny and that poor cow was so fat I don't see how it could move.
No reveal from me, just foodie stuff again.
You said: IF these posts are short, and I intend them to be, then I can elaborate on them later on, when I get to publish them ... terrific idea.
Luv your photos and look forward to your posts.
this is exciting! can't wait to learn about new animools! ha!
Very interesting theme; educational in a way to learn about different animals we might not already know about :)
betty
Hilary, this is a unique theme. As always I'm sure your posts will be informative educational and downright interesting as always.
Hahaha! I already love the pictures :D I'm looking forward to this, it's a topic I know nothing about, and it looks like it will be tremendous fun... :) Cheers!
@TarkabarkaHolgy from
The Multicolored Diary
MopDog
(Speaking like my niece) "I am just SOOOO there!" What a wonderful theme. And it's a subject that fascinates me: the rare, nearly lost breeds and the people or situations that have preserved them. Count me in!
Diana
Hi, Hilary. I'm amazed how many of the people I follow are A to Zers and doing the Theme reveal. It looks like being a good one! Being a glutton for punishment I have two blogs signed up this time. Sue
I get the impression you won't be stressing about all of this and that you'll just have fun with it. Good luck with your A to Z posts.
A to Z Theme Reveal: Becoming an Author
@ EC – that’s great … the captcha thing is a pain and it’s only just started working on some blogs …
@ Tasha – thanks so much … it will be whatever I do with each topic – it’s certainly going in that direction! I guess they’d have starved, so they must be able to eat, as they are still here …
@ Elizabeth – gosh, I hope I satisfy your learning …
@ Jamie – the cave drawing is really amazing isn’t it – done 40,000+ years ago; while the horse in the barn – I couldn’t resist posting …
@ Misha – great seeing you and thanks …
@ Jemima – I’ll be over to see you … re your rare guinea pigs …
@ Ros – that’s great .. I will see you here and at yours …
@ Sue – it’s interesting how the horns have been bred differently isn’t it … lovely to see you …
@ Nila – thanks so much … I shall enjoy your limericks …
@ AJC – that’s good to meet you and see you around the challenge …
@ Sophie – our rare breeds do need some love don’t they … I’ll try and given them some …
@ Teresa – well that’s excellent news and I hope Millie enjoys her look around …
@ Ellen – good to meet you and I hope I meet your expectations …
@ Yolanda – thanks so much … I’ll be having fun – and that captcha thing … can’t believe I’m the only one experiencing this adjustment … but appreciate you’ll make sure you comment through the pain!
@ Jo – I live and learn all the time – here in the UK .. and am always surprised at what I find: lots of cattle with horns (surprisingly) … and I couldn’t not put in the half horse or that cow – it’s ginormous! Looking to your food posts …
@ Gail – it looks like I will need to elaborate later … and I’m hoping I can keep them short, but keep them interesting with some good images …
@ Tara – oh yes … my new animooools …
@ Betty – I’m sure some of the featured beasties will be new …
@ Stephen – thanks re the uniqueness … and am delighted you think the posts will be my usual take on blogging life …
@ ATH – that’s great … that the pictures match up. Well it looks like I’ll be learning as I go along – so I’ll try and make it fun too …
@ Diana – yes … the enthusiasm of youth. Delighted that you’ll be enjoying these – thanks!
@ Sue – yes there’s many of us aren’t there … it’s a good blog Challenge. Good luck with your two blogs – I can only manage one …
@ Piper P – you are so observant … I won’t be stressing re the A-Z … this year is going to be the easy one (I hope!) .. the struggle will be later when I need to put them into booklet form …
Cheers to one and all – and I’ll be over to see you shortly … here’s to a fun time - Hilary
Weird British critters - that will be interesting. Will there be an orange fuzzy cow in the mix?
Oh what a fun spin Hilary - I can't wait to read your posts!
This sounds like a fascinating theme, Hilary! I'll look forward to following!!! Good luck.
no doubt I will learn a lot - your posts are always intriguing. And you can branch out to some of JK Rowling's Harry Potter critters. There is a lot of variety - real, dead, imaginary, and beyond. Good luck. I shall be a faithful reader
Wow! Interesting topic! I can't wait to hear more about the rare breeds!
I don't use captcha. Never have. I figure I can easily delete spammers. That said...
Your direction here sounds like an excellent one. You'll learn a lot. And, as you say, keeping them short...I think this will be good also. Most of your audience will be A to Zers like you and on the run. And of course you can expand them all later, for publication.
Cheers. And as I replied to your comment on my current post, I'll definitely be following you come April!
We have a lot or rare breeds. Looking at a some new additions
Oh, what a wonderful theme Hillary! I can't wait!! I love animals, and am particularly interested rare breeds.
This sounds like it is going to be a fun series. Love the photos you have here. Have a good week Diane
That sounds interesting. Will be happy to read more.
I love animals. This will be an interesting theme. I'm not doing the Challenge this year but I will try to visit when I can.
@ Alex – as I haven’t written them yet – I suspect no orange fuzzy cow in the mix! Lots of cows though …
@ Deborah – I hope so …
@ Monti – that’s great …
@ Joanne – I’m trying to go real and keep real – they may be dead, very dead … but no fiction .. perhaps the odd myth .. .
@ Allyse – that’s good to know – I sure hope you enjoy the posts …
@ Ann – unfortunately Blogger arbitrarily put the captcha back in … and on some blogs it demands you use it – others it lets you through … I give up – but thought it worth a note.
Yes – I will learn a lot … and I will try and keep them short – certainly shorter than my Cornish ones! It’ll be good having you around …
@ Steve – do you have rare breeds … I hope I don’t let the side down – anyway you can correct me and I’ll be happy to adjust said post!
@ Stephanie – that’s lovely you enjoy animals and particularly rare breeds …
@ Diane – thanks I hope to put a few photos in each day … makes it easier to absorb the info …
@ Parul – good to meet you .. and that’s lovely you’ll be happy to read more ..
@ Chrys - that's good, it will be lovely to have you visit when you can ...
Cheers to you all – thanks so much for your supportive words - Hilary
Wowzer! Look at those animals, will you? Loved the one of the horse, but the bovine in need of Weight Watchers was sad, indeed. Here's to another AtoZ!
Wow! What an interesting A to Z it will be! Is that somehow a cross between a cow and pig in that last picture? What a hoot!
OH, this could be fun. All the best in the challenge!!
Oh, your theme sounds great. Love the pictures already.
Very interesting theme!
As a fan of all things critter, this is right up my alley! Sounds like fun!!
@ Lee – thanks I managed to find some fun critters to post …
@ Bish – I’m not sure re the last photo … but the poor cow – dreadful isn’t it
@ Sharon – thanks I hope it’ll be fun ..
@ Susan – that’s lovely to read … the pictures usually match up …
@ Motts - thanks so much …
@ Samantha – that’s great – all things critters are fun aren’t they …
Cheers to you – thanks so much for your support … Hilary
Well, this is the most unsusual theme I've encounter so far :-)
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter - Jazz Age Jazz
I have no doubt that this will be another well-researched and fascinating series for A to Z. Should be interesting.
Arlee Bird
A to Z Challenge Co-host
Tossing It Out
Animals! I love it.
Rare breeds? I know you'll do a great job with the theme! You always do, Hilary.
A lamb born black? A horse perhaps changing into a Centaur? That's funny. But on the other hand, who knows?
Looking forward to the rare breeds! Sounds like you've got tons of info, too, which can make things easier (or, actually, maybe harder on you!)
Love the horse turning into a centaur! :)
Looking forward to learning about all these animals. :)
Wow, that's different! Good luck with the challenge. As I'm sitting it out this year I should have more time for visiting. Hooray!
Very unique idea, and a great theme! good luck with your challenge :)
Debbie
Sounds like a very unique idea. Looking forward to your posts.
Hello Hillary,
I hope this finds you well and in good health.
What interesting topics and already I have learned about the Texas longhorn vs the English long horn
Have a great week
Helen x
Verrrrry cool that you're going to be doing your A-Z on animals. If I were participating, I'd thought about doing something along the same lines. (Great minds think alike!) However, I won't be playing; in fact, I'll be vacating the blogosphere for the month, so I can work on my next novel. But good luck to you with the challenge. Have fun!!!
Good luck with the A-Z! I don't know where you got the picture of the fat cow, but I love it!
Good luck on the challenge. Those are some interesting critters!
Animals are a fun theme, and you already found some cool photos. I finally did my reveal too.
I love the rare breeds idea! Great ohotos too, and I'll look forward to your posts although with work and that, I don't know if I'll be able to read them all!
Photos...that should have been, not ohotos, whatever they are!
@ Sarah – that’s great my theme inspires – thanks …
@ Lee – I hope so .. thank you
@ Diane – it’ll be fun ..
@ Michelle – appreciate your comment … I loved the black lamb before they grow and go ‘white’ … the horse I couldn’t not mention changing into a centaur – seemed appropriate … I’m not sure I’ll find other critters which are as interesting …
@ Jen – good to see you … and thank you for saying you’ll be back …
@ Elizabeth – I do have tons of info … way too much – which will make it difficult for the Challenge – but afterwards give me some extra padding …
Couldn’t resist the horse photo turning into a centaur …
@ Jean – that’s good to know …
@ Anabel – yes it will be different … and I need to knuckle under and get myself organised – it’ll be good to see you out and about and commenting .. even if not taking part.
@ Debbie – thanks so much … I’ll be seeing you …
@ Helen – all well here … but good to see you again. I had to put the bit in about two Longhorns .. so I'm pleased you noted it …
@ Susan – yes great minds do think alike! I don’t know a lot about animals, let alone rare breeds … so I shall be learning as I write. Good luck with your next book … we both will have fun …
@ Libby – nice to meet you – I can’t remember where I saw the ‘fat cow’ – but I grabbed it … so I could use it somewhere … and it’s finding approval!
@ F+F – good to meet you … and I’ll be seeing you during the Challenge …
@ Rhonda – I think this theme will be different – glad you like my photos … yours are always so professional …
@ Val – thanks … I thought the rare breeds idea would be a different theme. My posts I hope will be shorter! – started that way … and will include photos or ohotos!!
Thanks everyone … I’m looking forward to the Challenge and to reading all the theme posts and then the posts themselves – cheers Hilary
I must say...that cow looks like me after I eat ice cream
I'm looking forward to learning a lot more about Britain... again!
your theme seems pretty interesting.
I'm looking forward to reading about those rare breeds! :)
Hi, I'm looking forward to the rare breeds and genetics. You write about such fascinating topics. I'm glad to reconnect with a friend from last year. I can't believe an entire year has flown by. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my blog makeover is done. I don't even care about the cosmetics. My only concern is the loading speed and the main reason I hired the design team was to get rid of the Disqus comment platform. I'm with you on the Captcha. It irritates me. I can't wait to read your posts. I will be back on April 1st, or before if I get everything finished for the challenge. Take care and I'm glad we've become friends.
Hi, Hilary,
I ALWAYS enjoy your travelogue! But adding tidbits of information about animals along with your usual FLARE for travel will certainly be one of my favorite haunts during the A-Z. I wish I had OODLES of time to visit new blogs and enjoy the whole experience, but with all the LIFE stuff going on for me right now, my time is limited and APRIL is an incredibly big month for me.
I FINALLY found my place in Florida (Orlando) and hope to close by the middle of April. That means ANOTHER design project. LOL. But luckily this place doesn't need a huge remodel because it is so tiny. It will be more decorating, than remodeling. Thankfully. After my INTENSE loft rehab, which is still not complete, I want something I can just do in a few weeks and then ENJOY.... Florida get extremely hot by July, so I will be zipping back to Chicago to finish the loft.
So much going on for the rest of the spring, summer, and fall. And then, THE HOLIDAYS! Time is just speeding dow the raceway of life... too fast for my liking.
Hope all is well!
@ Keith - I'd have thought now you are happily married ... you'd be worried about your waistline! Don't get like the cow - please?!
@ Annalisa - that's great ... yes more Britain ...
@ Teresa - good to meet you and I'm pleased you think my theme will be interesting - I hope so!
@ Melissa - it's so good to see you again ... you've had a tough year, but I'm very happy you're here and up and blogging again.
I hope your blog makeover gets sorted in time ... Disqus is a pain - but manageable. Looking forward to seeing your new design - I hope to do something with mine sometime soon ...
Friendship is wonderful isn't it - such a supportive crew around here .. with some special friends being made ...
@ Michael - good to see you - and you've got a new place in Florida - good luck for this one coming through ...
But you enjoy these design projects ... so it looks easier than your Chicago place - that was/is some job ... fun, but exhausting keeping up with it all ...
Thanks for the support re the blog - I think this is going to be animals, rather than history of counties etc ... but with me - who knows!
So good to see old friends and new ones here ... the A-Z is a rock 'n roll challenge and I'm looking forward to it .. cheers to one and all - Hilary
We had a shorthorn bull once. They're like longhorns except ... well, you can probably guess.
Rare breeds certainly sounds like an interesting topic. Looking forward to reading your posts during the A-Z challenge.
That cow, my goodness! Interesting post, through and through.
Visiting your blog is always a great learning source, Hilary. I'm positive I will absolutely enjoy myself to bits visiting throughout April. And learning a ton in the process. Thank you, and best of luck.
Interesting theme... can't wait to see where you go with it.
Sounds good, Hilary! I've no doubt your posts will be rich and informative, as always. :)) Looking forward to them!
You know I will love this one! Looking forward to your posts as always. :)
Looking forward to it, Hilary! Yes - you click all the sandwiches or palm trees or whatever and then still have to click again.
I just told Roland that I didn't even know it was a reveal day and I revealed my theme. Yours sounds absolutely fascinating and I know I will learn and enjoy. As always...
Hilary, I just went to the A to Z listing of blogs and can't find mine on there. I was on the list, but if I wrote down the number, I have misplaced it. Do you have any idea how I can backtrack and find out what happened?
@ Patsy – yes I believe I can understand the difference between a shorthorn bull, and a long one! I definitely need the farming background for this … but … I’ll cope!
@ Sherry – I think I’ll be learning a lot too …
@ Silvia – yes that c-o-w … is quite a sight isn’t she! Thanks for the supportive comment
@ Jen – it’ll be good to see you and I’ll be over …
@ Karen – appreciate you being here and supporting me …
@ Julie – that’s fantastic … now for me to match up …
@ Lynn – yes those sandwiches, trees, mountains or grass are a right pain in the new captcha …
@ Inger – so good to see you … and your comments – I hope my email has answered these queries … just added a new email as a suggestion …
Your theme is going to be a therapeutic one for you particularly, but one we can and will learn from …
It’s great having such friends around us … enjoy you’re A-Zs … cheers Hilary
I am curious to see all the breeds ! Love the cow, it looks as if it had swallowed a football ! (or two)
Fantastic Hilary! Looking forward to it!! :) :) :) xx
Oh what a fun theme! I can't wait to see what rare breeds you'll present! This will be tons of fun and it will be chock full of cool information and trivia. I look forward to it Hilary.
Michele at Angels Bark
Oh my, I do hope that cow is photoshopped. Interesting theme, for sure! Rare breeds. Something I bet no one else will be doing.
Fascinating theme! Being an agriculture geek, I can't wait to follow along. Aloha, Rhonda
Looking forward to reading these rare animal breeds.
You always have such interesting information to share, I'm sure we won't be disappointed.
J here, stopping by from the #atozchallenge - where I am part of Arlee Bird's A to Z Ambassador Team.
Excellent choice for an A to Z challenge theme. Good job. My theme is the craft of fiction writing. Tips, lessons, and prompts from various writing reference books. I follow it up with a sample of my work.
I look forward to your posts.
April should be exciting. I'm looking forward to the event. Best of luck to us both on meeting our goals of posting and hopping to other blogs.
My blog has a giveaway. There's a bonus a to z challenge each day to encourage people to visit more stops.
http://jlennidornerblog.what-are-they.com
@ Gattina - they are being interesting to write up ... and that cow - is wonderful isn't she ...
@ Susan - thanks .. good to see you ...
@ Michele - I hope so ... yes there are tons to write up and I'm trying to include cool information and trivia ...
@ Shannon - I guess the poor cow was photoshopped - I hope no-one else is doing rare breeds, on the other hand - it might be good if they were!
@ Rhonda S - thanks - good to meet you ... oh dear being an agricultural geek I may well not match up to your high expectations ...
@ Jeffrey - thanks so much for the thumbs up for my rare breeds A-Zs ... it will be entertaining if nothing else!
@ J - good to see you ... and I'm sure I'll enjoy your take on the A-Zs ..
Cheers to one and all and here's to a very good April - Hilary
Good theme! I'm writing on Happiness this year. April is going to be busy but a lot of fun! All the best and see you around!
- Chicky Kadambari @ www.mysteriouskaddu.com
Twitter | Facebook | Google+
Creatures! I wonder how our Texas Longhorn and your British ones got their horns going in opposite directions?
Now... speaking of creatures, "Remarkable Creatures" just yesterday I finished the novel of that name by Tracy Chevalier. Found it fascinating!!! Found myself swept away via Google Earth to The Cobb, Lyme Regis, Seatown and environs.
Finally became acquainted with the writings of Ms Chevalier a few weeks ago, with "Girl With A Pearl Earring."
On her 3rd novel now, smitten with her writing.
Hope when you can, you will pop over to my blog to choose the stationery from my recent comment to you.
Xoxoxoxooxlxo
I love reading all the A-Z posts and I can't wait to read yours. :) Your theme sounds vaguely perfect to me.
~Jess
@ Chicky - good to meet you ... writing on Happiness is a great subject - warming to all our hearts. April is busy - but definitely fun ..
@ Jannie - I agree Mary Anning is an amazing subject - I read another book .. not Tracy Chevalier's Remarkable Creatures ... on that part of our coastline ... and her findings. She's just been recognised (2010) by the Royal Society as one of the ten British Women who have most influenced the history of science.
So glad you're enjoying her books ... and yes I'm on my way over to make my choice - whoo-hoo for a snail mail letter - luverly!
I guess a breeding programme for those horns .. but I've no idea ... just so interesting to see the different creatures.
@ Jess - great to see you .. and thanks so much ..
Cheers to you all ... have a peaceful Easter ... Hilary
This sounds fascinating. Good luck with yet another gruelling April challenge. I'm not up for it this year but I am back on the scene...thankfully.
What a fun topic to read for your A-Z. I'm looking forward to it. Good luck!! And wishing you lots of energy!
@ Ros - so good to see you back ... but am delighted you'll be visiting even if not joining us - just get better that's the main thing right now ...
@ Elsie - I do hope it is fun ... it's being quite strange to write up ..
Cheers and Happy Easters or weekends to you both - Hilary
Hilary, this looks like another fascinating series. I like the shorter text - much easier to assimilate - and the photos are great. Nice to make contact again.
the captcha thing pops on and off for me for months, now. hate it.
the curved in longhorn is really interesting!
@ Juliet - good to see you back .. text not so short .. but lots of photos.
@ Theresa - the two sorts of longhorns are interesting to see aren't they ... and that captcha thing catches me out sometimes ..
Cheers to you both and happy and peaceful Easters .. Hilary
Keeping the post short is a good idea. Last year I could not finish it for I was writing fiction and it zapped my energy out. This year I will stick to facts and create the fiction later. Cool theme. Bookmarking your page.
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