New paintings and regular art updates.
The problem with drawing cats from life is that they move! They get into interesting positions and shapes then a second later a different leg is up in the air or they have turned round, head up, down, twisted. Eyes open, eyes closed. The trick is to outline the drawing first, filling in the black area afterwards. This was a five minute sketch. Late night, the cat is settling down for a sleep. I do try and draw from memory but it doesn’t always work, especially with cats!
Please can I have a new body? I’m sure bits will start dropping off soon. Not only do I suffer from insomnia but now when I go to bed I have to contend with trying to find a comfortable position. My back has sometimes troubled me (I think from years ago when I used to be a care assistant), but recently it’s got far worse. It hurts just trying to lie down. Then I end upon the edge of the bed gripping it to stop my back slumping. I basically sleep either on one side or the other or on my back, but each of these is getting much more painful. Then I try and turn, but the pain as I twist is getting off the scale. Get in the doctors? But it’s nigh on impossible to get in and see one while everything covid is going on. So I’m taking mild pain killers and hoping it’s just a phase and it will ease off. Meanwhile, very grumpy today!
The cat that came in from the cold.. Our outside cat is mostly indoors now. He’s grown into a big cat. He’s getting portly and sometimes when he sleeps he snores! He is outside in the garden in the day but when it gets dark he sleeps on the arms of our armchairs on a cushion. He’s very sweet and purrs at me and makes cute miraow noises when I feed him. He’s lovely and the other two cats tolerate him well. I make sure they all get loved. I suppose I felt sorry for him because he was abandoned and he needed looking after.
Yes, its almost 3.30am. No I can’t sleep. Yes, the neighbours security light keeps flashing on and off….flash.. flash…No, I can’t calm my thoughts, yes, I tried counting sheep. Yes, I just had a warm drink (decaff coffee). Yes, I am tired. No, I do’t know if I should be sticking commas after Yes, and No,. Yes, I WANT to sleep. Yes, his snoring doesnt help! No I can’t count sheep, they get blurry and disappear. No, it doesn’t help having to wear a mask for sleep aponea at night. Yes, I am too hot, but the house is too cold when I get out of bed. Yes I AM looking at a screen, which I know is bad for sleeping! Yes, aches and pains are NOT helping.
Yes, I try relaxation, sometimes it works, not tonight. Whats bugging me? I need to try and sort a friends problems out. No, I can’t tell her I don’t think I can help- I’m her friend. Yes, Covid is worrying me a lot. Yes, I’m very hot and bothered…. No- THIS IS NOT Helping! Oh well, better go back and TRY and SLEEP…
Hello Insomnia, my old friend, you’re keeping me awake again… its 3.40am- again.
Sleep heals
Gives you rest
Helps you to
Win the test
Sleep calms
And gives us ease
Reduces stress
It’s good to seize.
Sleep cures
Or at least defends
Against a world
Which worry sends.
Sleep is good
And makes a life
Acceptable
Despite all strife.
I am trying to drag myself out of an illness today, but all that seems to happen is that I fall asleep. Its only a stomach bug (enough information), but it really hit me yesterday.
Should I blog about this? I’m only explaining because I’m usually here everyday, writing endless things about art or silly poems. I do wonder sometimes if there is a point? Would anyone miss my words. It’s when you’re feeling a bit down that you start to question why I do this. Is it like vanity publishing? I wonder…
Tired, shaking, aching. Can’t rest, can’t get comfortable, can’t sleep. Too hot, too cold. Got a slight cough. Feeling miserable. Not ill. The injured calf muscle is difficult to position, too painful after three weeks. I’ve slept on the settee with my legs resting on cushions on a stool because straightening my leg makes it cramp up. My sleeping mask that I have to wear to keep my throat from stopping me breathing is rubbing on my nose and puffs of air from it disturb me as I try to nod off. Occasionally I’ve slept in an armchair instead, cushioned up and curled in a ball. I want to go to bed, upstairs. But I’m scared like the Grand old Duke of a Yorks men I will end up halfway. Neither up nor down.
Injury is not only frustrating, it’s confidence sapping too. You don’t trust yourself incase something happens to make it worse. So instead I’m sitting tapping on my phone. Dithering in the cool night air, wanting to be snuggled and comfy. Feeling fed up.
I had a shocking night last night. The pain in my leg means it’s hard to get comfortable. I can’t lie flat and if I lie on my side I have to put my legs on a footstool with pillows on it. I sometimes can’t get the levels right, so either my legs are too low and the edge of the settee digs in my thighs. The other way means my legs are too high and my knees feel twisted. I really, really, just want to get upstairs to bed. My shocked cat 🙀 plant holder shows what I think!
When you pull a muscle don’t expect it to heal overnight. You can expect discomfort for several days or a few weeks. You start doing things, then, ouch, you over stretch or twist or lift your foot or knee up a little too quickly and that band of pain clamps on your leg again.
Don’t expect to sleep well. If you can’t get upstairs you could be limited to sleeping in an armchair or on a settee or sofa. My cats are most disgruntled that I’m sleeping in their warm spot.
Don’t expect to be able to do the shopping. If a friend helps that’s a godsend. If your partner does it, we’ll don’t expect what’s on the list. As long as he’s happy…. In any case it will be all over soon. My patience has been stretched to a twanging, tight rope, ready to snap!
Curled round in sleep,
my hubby and the cat,
snoozing after tea.
Cat’s ears twitch,
hubby snores gently,
perfect peace for a while.
Resting at ease,
calm and relaxed.
Surely it can’t last?
Have to wait and see…
Mallaband-Brown