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!

Today in Queen Bess's Life

King Erick XIV of Sweden

Elizabeth had many suitors.  And why not?  She was rich, articulate, accomplished, and the leader of the most powerful nation in the Western World.  Why do all the work when your wife can do it for you?  One of her most ardent pursuers was King Erik XIV of Sweden.

On this day in 1560, Elizabeth finally doused the flames of his love with the following letter:

Most Serene Prince Our Very Dear Cousin,

A letter truly yours both in the writing and sentiment was given us on 30 December by your very dear brother, the Duke of Finland.  And while we perceive there from that the zeal and love of your mind towards us is not diminished, yet in part we are grieved that we cannot gratify your Serene Highness with the same kind of affection.  And that indeed does not happen because we doubt in any way of your love and honour, but, as often we have testified both in words and writing, that we have never yet conceived a feeling of that kind of affections towards anyone.  We therefore beg your Serene Highness again and again that you be pleased to set a limit to your love, that it advance not beyond the laws of friendship for the present nor disregard them in the future.  And we in turn shall take care that whatever can be required for the holy preservation of friendship between Princes we will always perform towards your Serene Highness.  It seems strange for your Serene Highness to write that you understand from your brother and your ambassadors that we have entirely determined not to marry an absent husband; and that we shall give you no certain reply until we shall have seen your person.