While I was waiting for inspiration to strike this morning – frankly my brain is no more awake today than it was on Monday – I went cold when I remembered a couple of comments on social media this week. One was that religion, politics and income were not topics for general conversation. Apart from books is there anything left to talk about?
The second is that what we put up on social media stays up there for ever and ever and ever. Now I have no problem with my books being for sale for ever and ever, but the drivel I write each week? Does this put me and all the other bloggers into the same category as say the politicians? (Not that I think I am as important as they are, I must add). In 1982 they said something that in 2015 they contradict, and you can bet that some reporter lurking somewhere, will remember this and make it very public. The result? This politician is irresponsible, tells lies, is fickle, two faced, inconsistent, backtracking – the list could go on and on and on. (Please note this shot below is just a general shot of politicians. I only slate them individually in my monthly column).
So I got to wondering how many times I had done the same thing. Well it’s early days yet so there is plenty of time for me to make an about turn. Problem is I can’t remember from Monday to Friday what I’ve written, and if we go back a whole month then I’m stuffed.
What has not changed though is the annual battle between DH and the ants. They are on the march again, and thank heavens they are small or we would be in big trouble. They have mined their way out of nowhere and once again demanded rent free accommodation in the lounge. I am now sitting next to a pile of eradication paraphernalia all designed to send these little darlings to ant heaven. I dare not suggest to DH that they are on a winning streak, as I don’t know how many cousins, other relatives and friends they have invited but the odds are lengthening by the minute. If I was a great mathematician I could probably work out how long it would be before they brought the whole house crashing down around our ears, they must be hiding out in the foundations somewhere.
Today’s wild life picture is my favourite African animal, for it’s majesty, grace and sheer beauty.
I won’t name it as I always forget how many rrr’s and ffff’s there are!
So, back in time to the greatest queen, Elizabeth I and more about her boyfriend. Here is his official pin up poster. Well there were all these rumours flying about concerning Essex, Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, [that’s all one person, with a lot of names], and most people were convinced he was the queen’s lover
He had been friends with Elizabeth for a long time, here is a photograph of him at her coronation.
I’m reliably informed he’s in there somewhere. However, when he upset her by not solving the Irish Question, she had him flung in the Tower, but on the understanding he would give her a ring before the due time for beheading and she would pardon him.
Unfortunately he got the wrong number and he failed to contact her, so he lost his head after all.
“God may forgive you,” was Brown Bess’s memorable comment to the telephone operator, “but I never will.”
So ends yet another sad love story.
lucinda E Clarke 
Loved your post! I didn’t realize that what I write online stays here in perpetuity. That’s crazy! I better watch my Ps and Qs. 🙂 I really loved your comments about Dudley and Queen Elizabeth. I was a history major in college and fascinated by the English history, which is so rich, and contains so many dramatic events, all well suited for our imaginations and perfect for our books. Thank you, Lucinda.
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I heard another story too that you stay on Facebook for ever and ever too, and you’ll still be there when your great, great grandchildren get married!! Glad you like my rubbish Jeanne, but English history lends itself so well to it 🙂
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I always enjoy your posts about English history. A little note about ants, they hate the smell of peppermint and cayenne pepper. If you sprinkle dry pepper or dilute peppermint oil with water and spay around their nest area, they will start packing in no time 🙂
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That sounds a much better idea than all the chemical stuff. Do they prefer white or black pepper I wonder.
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Ju,ne/july in southetn England (when the weather is war, and humid, antsooen their nests so that the flying ants (mext nest makers) can fly, mate, lose their wings and set up new homes a this time of year. Regular as clockwork. Is this why they have mived in with you?.
Yes, there were rumours, but it came to nought in the end. She did not want to share the throne, i pe as that,what with all that went on with her father.
Evelyn
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Evelyn I admire Elizabeth for going it alone!
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The first real woman’s libber 🙂
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For some reason, I thought Dudley died of natural causes. Sorry to hear he lost his head! Just discovered these posts… enjoying them!
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You mean Jane’s husband? If i remember correctly, the story goes that she watched him walk out to his execution in the Tower. Mind, there is only a teeny weeny grain of truth in any of my history lessons!! Jane’s father also lost his head, but her mother and her two sisters lived long and healthy lives at court under Queen Mary – that bit is true!!
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