Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Shoot fire! I was going to post today....

I guess afternoon is better than not at all.

So here's my excuse.

Last night was a critique group meeting followed by some idle zombie television watching time. Then I went to bed before eleven, woke up at midnight with busy brain, and spent the next two hours fretting, mostly about not being able to sleep.

Around two, I got out of bed and went downstairs. Ended up fixing a cup of hot chocolate with lots of marshmallows and a piece of buttered toast. Sat down to read The Day She Died by Catriona McPherson. Looked up at the clock and found an hour had passed. I'm so hooked by this story!

Anyway, decided I'd best go back to bed because my Katie Cat alarm clock meows at seven a.m. Fell right to sleep.

All that supports the advice I often read that when one can't sleep one should get up and do something to promote sleep. Lying in bed with busy brain is not a good solution. I'm not sure I'd usually recommend a novel of suspense, but when combined with hot chocolate, it worked just fine for me.

However, the total of three hours sleep lost means the couch is calling me.

Before I go, though, just wanted to remind you my guest blogger tomorrow is Becky Martinez who writes in several genres under the pseudonym of Rebecca Grace. She's a very interesting lady, so I'll hope you'll stop by to meet her.

And she's giving away a copy of Blues at 11. All you have to do to enter is leave a comment on tomorrow's post.

Don't be shy.

8 comments:

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

Sorry you didn't sleep. I seldom ever have that problem. My husband on the other hand gets up when he can't sleep, often at 2 or 3 in the morning.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Sorry you lost a couple hours. Too bad you can't turn off the Katie alarm clock.

Yolanda Renée said...

If I did that, and I have, I'd have been up all night because I can seldom put a book down once I start.

Sleep better!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Susan, I'm glad to say it's not a nightly problem, but when it happens, it's tough to recover in just one day.

Alex, there is no turn off button on the Katie alarm.
It's loud and it's persistent.

Hi Yolanda. It wasn't easy. I read a little more with my coffee this morning and plan to get right back to it after I've finished a couple of chores.

Anonymous said...

Pat - I think you had exactly the right idea for dealing with the 'busy brain' syndrome. And I think Catriona McPherson is really talented. Glad you're enjoying the novel.

Patricia Stoltey said...

Margot, I'm just about to head downstairs and get back into the book. Still can't believe I haven't read her work before.

Trisha said...

It's so annoying when you can't sleep properly. I usually have trouble getting to sleep in the first place, but once I'm asleep, I stay that way till my alarm goes off. Or till my cats/foster cats wake me up!

Patricia Stoltey said...

Trisha, I sometimes wake up at 2 or 3 and stay awake for 2 hours. If I do decide to get up, our cat gets up too. I'm not sure whether she's worried at the change in routine or if she just wants to keep me company.