Three Automation Issues

I have three automation issues.
 
#1 (Serious):  This has happened many times in the past and I have reported it here.  It is happening again.  I set a fader with Write Off to get the approximate mix level for a sound.  When I am I ready to create the automation and either draw a node or use Write to set the fader, the track is suddenly much quieter than it was before.  For example, my kick drum sounded and metered strong with the fader at -11.  When I drew a node at -11, I could barely hear it.  Now the fader is at +0.5.  This is not just my perception.  I can tell my the metering on the track and on Master that this is really happening.  No, offset is not on.  Why would using automation suddenly cause a dramatic decrease in the volume of a track?
 
And I don't know if this is the same as issue #1 or a different problem, but turning Write on makes the fader jump to 0 db sometimes.  That is really dumb.  I have a rough mix set up and want to automate it, but turning Write on a track loses the level I had set.
 
#2 (Fairly Serious):  Read sometimes does not work unless Write is on and the fader does not move in relation to the automation.  That same issue is happening on this project with the other issues.  This has happened before.  It seems to be only certain tracks on certain projects.  May be related to #1.
 
#3 (Less Serious):  I don't know how to draw a single node.  I have to put the pencil in Freehand mode, drag it a little to create 2-3 nodes, and then erase the ones I don't want.  Why isn't there a way to click and create a single node (which is what you normally want when doing surgical editing)?
 
Thanks.

hmm... I don't know about that other stuff (it almost sounds like something got corrupted) but I can enter a single node using the Smart Tool or the Draw tool. Something weird is going on there Konrahd. Are you using a fancy mouse that requires drivers or something? For the other stuff... IDK, have you made any changes in preferences or in any of the sub menus that might affect the behavior of your automation?

Double click an envelope to add a single node.

To check offset, switch to that mode. A "+" beside the volume sliders in the TV will indicate you are in that mode. Set all controls to 0dB and then switch out of offset. That will ensure offset isn't interfering with anything at least.

Thanks, gentlemen, and happy New Year.