Settling into the rhythm

I started drawing today.Like so many of us I feel the pressure of all these projects which I want to finish as we rush on into the last month of the year; already starting to think of deadlines for 2014. I can feel the calm draining away. But these days, all I want to do is wear my comfy sweaters and sit beside the fire.How are you all doing at staying calm and gentle during the season?I've been taking walks out into the fields but haven't made it to the Thames yet. (It's five field and a copse away) I've generally only been going thru the first three fields and turning around at the fourth. The reason is that mostly the times I've found to walk are at twilight...or...well, near twilight because twilight is happening at 4pm these days. But it's the best time to spot the animals. R tells me he saw a few badgers in the "hawk" field. I saw several pheasants today, including one who scared the daylights out of me. (they wait till you get close enough and freak out and whirl straight up in a frantic beating of wings) I hope I see the badgers too. This summer, my friend Jackie told me the best times for her are at dawn. She said she has gone out into the fields and sat very quietly and suddenly all the bunnies and hares and birds came out into full view. Maybe I'll give that a try.We also went to the Christmas barn in the neighbouring village of Appleton to get our Christmas tree. Isn't Appleton a lovely name for a village? You just know it's filled with gentle people, don't you? You have to smile to say it. Try saying it frowning. I'll wait.... :D see?Picked up my pencils for about 30 minutes this evening and started a little study of a nuthatch on one of the old dictionary pages that I've been using for printing on. It has the word "play" on it.I realised that I'd left the map which I started drawing a red-tailed kite on here on my art desk and I'm so glad I did because now I can keep working on it. The kite is in a dive over the city and I think maybe dandelion seeds will be floating past him.I've also finally had time to read a sweet little letter form a new friend. It came to Vancouver on the day I was leaving and so I stuck it into my purse and meant to read it on the flight and then completely zoned because it stayed forgotten till tonight. I'm so glad she decided to write to me and I'm excited to write back. :)But not now. Now it's evening here and I'm hoping for a good night's sleep. (Last night was the third and that's always the worst for jet-lag)Linking with Mary for Mosaic Monday and looking forward to catching up with everyone after a few hours.