Today in Queen Bess's Life

Tomb Effigy of Queen Elizabeth I

Elizabeth passed away on this day in 1603.  Her cause of death has never been determined, but common speculation is that she died due to blood poisoning -- perhaps from years of application of the white makeup on her face called Venetian Ceruse.  The concoction was made up white lead and vinegar.  Considering we don't want our children in homes with lead paint these days, it certainly seems probable that this was the cause of the great queen's death.

In my romantic mind, I love the legend that her last word was  "Robin" -- in reference to her longtime lover, Robert Dudley. She could have never married Dudley without severe political consequences.  Alas, her death was likely much less romantic as it is also speculated that she was in a deep sleep for a few days before she finally expired.

Today in Queen Bess's Life

On this day in 1554, Elizabeth was imprisoned in the Tower of London for her suspected involvement in the Wyatt Rebellion.  Led by Sir Thomas Wyatt, the intent was to displace Elizabeth's half sister, Mary, from the throne and replace her with Elizabeth.  Their beef with Mary?  That she was Roman Catholic and set to marry the very Roman Catholic Prince Phillip of Spain.  It was the desire of the rebels to retain the Protestant rule started by Mary and Elizabeth's father, Henry VIII.

It was assumed that Elizabeth was complicit in the plot -- thus her incarceration.

Upon her arrival by boat at the Tower (the very place her mother was beheaded), Elizabeth said:

Famous Spinster Birthday -- Queen Latifah

"I was taught from a young age that many people would treat me as a second-class citizen because I was African-American and because I was female."  -- Queen Latifah

Born:  March 18, 1970

Are you a fucking bear or something?

Hello all!  Obviously, surgery put me on a forced hiatus -- except for the posts that I wrote ahead of time and then scheduled for dates.  Sorry to reveal the wizard behind the curtain.

I'm crabby this morning.  Why?  Because of my upstairs neighbors.  I realize that I am part of the problem because I have no patience with other people.  Any apartment I've lived in has resulted in a feud with either my upstairs or downstairs counterpart.  I can't stand my current upstairs neighbors. I haven't been able to stand them since they moved in almost two years ago.

When they first moved in, it was a mother, her eight(ish) year old son, and her 'fiance'.  The fiance used to sit on the balcony smoking and talking very loudly on his cell phone.  I'm assuming he was a fiance because he would often yell at her about, "Why would I want to marry you if you don't know how to clean a house?"  His phone conversations were to his lawyer and some person that he must've gotten into a physical altercation with because he'd call the person and say shit like, "I could get into a lot of trouble for calling you because it would would considered threatening my victim, but you should know that if you testify against me, I'm going to get you."

Famous Spinster Birthday -- Rosa Luxemburg

"Those who do not move, do not notice their chains." -- Rosa Luxemburg

Born:  March 5, 1871
Died:  January 15, 1919

Today in Queen Bess's Life

Scene from Henry VI, part I

Today is the estimated date of the first production of William Shakespeare's first play, Henry VI, Part I in 1592.  The date is "estimated" because Shakespeare's plays weren't actually published until after his death.  Being a playwright was a dangerous occupation in Elizabethan times as an author who expressed slanderous or heretic views in their writing could be subjected to torture and, possibly, execution.

The Queen was a patron of Shakespeare.  There is mythology that Elizabeth was, in fact, William Shakespeare herself.  But when would she have found the time?  Plus, many of his plays were written after her death, so this myth doesn't hold water.

Hospital Blogging!

Because I can!  What an amazing world, huh?

So I landed in the hospital earlier than the surgeon wanted.  Well... I don't know that for sure, but he has no bed side manner...  I went to the ER on Wednesday -- one full week before the appointment that was supposed to be my consultation to set up the surgery. The ER Doctor determined I needed surgery ASAP.  The reluctant surgeon spoke with me and gave me two options:

1.  We admit you and get your pain under control and then you can go home tomorrow and then see me next to set up surgery.
2.  We admit you and get your pain under control then do surgery on you tomorrow.

I chose number 2.

In the ER they gave me this wonderful pharmaceutical called, "Dilaudid."  Good heavens.  That was nice.  Until I was in the hospital and pushed the nurse call button:

Nurse:  How can I help?

Me:  Trouble ... breathing ...

Nurse:  [cheerfully]  I'll be right down!

His voice was so happy, I was totally less scared.  I was!  Then he and two other nurses came bursting through the door with a crash cart "just in case".  They pulled down my gown and saw the rash -- time to take away my ice cream cone on a hot day.  I went from chocolate ice cream cone to lime popsicle (fentanyl).

Around midnight, I was sitting up in my bed sobbing.  The CNA wandered in and gave me a hug, "Let's get you fixed."  She got to the nurse and they introduced me to Percoset....  That is like the banana split of pain killers!

After all of that, the surgeon visited me the next morning and asked how I was -- as he was reading my chart.  I said I was much better and he looked hopeful, "Do you want to go home and do this next week?"

What the?

I turned down his generous offer.

There is a point.

After the surgery, he talked with my sister and father and told them, "She's lucky she came in when she did.  One more day and she would have been in a lot of trouble."  The little turd hasn't talked to me yet.

If he waits much longer, I think there's going to be a lot of trouble....

The very good, very happy news, is that I'm going to be okay and that I'm feeling like a rock star...

Now where is that mocha with whipped cream and the chocolate chip scone?

Today is National Pig Day!

I couldn't pass this one up ... Piggies are cute!

Seriously, this is a holiday -- it's in Wikipedia and everything!