Just chillin. Literally!

Last night and today were pretty rough…up til 5 a.m….finally got up ,went downstairs to warm some milk in a pot on the stove. It helps sometimes. Feeling hopeful I stir my milk until it warms enough to coat the side of the pan . I add cinnamon. Stir. Pouring it into the big mug my son gave me at Christmas I smile and make my way ,cup in hand,to my studio. I settle myself in the comfortable chair ,placing a throw blanket on my lap. Schooching the chair in closer I turn the work lamp on and set to working on the black and white portion of a peice I had started several days ago. My work pulls me in and I am lost to the sleepless worries I have been returning to these past 5 hours. Sipping my warm milk the cinnamon tastes wonderfully earthy. A good 40 minutes slips by as I am immersed in the strokes of the technical pen . I prefer the Koh-i-noor Rapidograph for its smooth precise lines and easy flowing ultradraw India ink. This ink has a subtle sheen to it,with a dark color load. It is important to use this Ultra draw ink because of the flow itself. It causes less problems with the ink drying inside of the technical pen. This is extremely essential as I prefer to not take the pens apart except for filling the reservoir. Inside the lower tip of the pens there is an extremely small spring. It is not recommended to take it that far apart because of the difficulty in re-assembling it. The rest of the mechanism can be taken apart and reassembled gently for refills, cleaning or changing ink colors. I prefer the black Ultradraw India Ink for my detail work. If a different color ink is needed I will use a dip pen,calligraphy pen or tiny brush. If you do not allow the ink reservoir to become empty and you cap the pen in-between uses there is no problem with the ink drying in the pen . If the ink is allowed to dry inside the pen no amount of cleaning will save it or make it usable again. This can become expensive. I highly recommend the Koh-i-Noor Rapidograph pen set.

After working for this bit I decide to head back upstairs and try again to fall asleep. I did manage to sleep fitfully for about four hours. Then I stumbled back downstairs to grab a cup of coffee and attempt the day laying before me. It’s been unseasonably cold outside. Snowing and sleeping of all things, my poor achy joints have been protesting. I was exhausted, in pain and very grumpy. I did manage to get some studio time in, cook and do some dishes. I am feeling a bit better this evening and am hopeful for a good night’s rest tonight. Here I sit snuggled in my chair wrapped in blankets and perusing t.v. channels searching for something worthwhile to watch. And so I thought I’d write you and tell you about my sleepless night and following day. Have you had trouble sleeping? What seems to help you in those times? I’m very interested to know your take on this dilemma. Do share your ideas and comment. Have a lovely evening.