Slow Start

It seems as if I am getting a fast moving year off to a very slow start. It is not as if I am doing nothing but rather that it has all been behind the scenes kind of stuff. I have been busy with the kind of projects that don't translate into products in my shops.

In the last couple months I made knitted or crocheted gifts for each of the grandkids, worked on painting and flooring projects with Jim, been to Utah and back, redesigned business cards and store graphics, hemstitched and crocheted flannel receiving blankets for my sister's embroidery business in California. I have also been organizing my yarns and crochet threads and have to go through my fabric stash next. I need to go through finished products as well and get them pressed or blocked for their photos.I have been gathering lighting equipment for taking better product photos.

I am starting to feel as if I am on top of things so that I can now concentrate on getting products online and am looking forward to spring and summer to get this done.

Above is my banner for a blujay shop. The blue I am using here coordinates with the colors of the site. I think it gives a nice clean look.

Finally I did a new Etsy banner for my shop there and used that banner for my blog. Once again I did a clean look to work with the site colors and let the products show. It gives you the shop name and what I do. For now I am happy with my work. In true Gemini fashion in a couple months I may be changing it all again. Who knows?

Sad Day

Br. David Downey, OSB

Born in Dodge City, KS

Professed Vows: July 11, 1963

Transferred to St. Gregory's Abbey: September 3, 2006

Br. David was originally a monk of Holy Cross Abbey in Canyon City, CO. His transfer to our community at St. Gregory's was finalized on September 3, 2006. He has enjoyed working with the therapeutic riding services provide to persons with developmental disabilities offered at the Charham Arena on the campus of St. Gregory's. Having been raised on a farm, he enjoys outdoor work and is very fond of animals. Br. David is currently battling advanced cancer and appreciates the prayers and support of many family members, former students and friends.

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From: Br. George Hubl, O.S.B. [mailto:brgeorge@stgregorys.edu]
Sent: Wednesday, January 09, 2008 8:38 AM
Subject: Br. David Downey Passes into Eternal Life
Importance: High

I share with you the news that Br. David Downey, monk of St. Gregory’s Abbey, died peacefully in the Lord this morning at 8:45. He was strengthened by the sacraments and died at the monastery in the presence of his sister Kathleen and members of the monastic community.

Br. David was born on October 16, 1940, to Michael and Nellie (O’Keefe) Downey of Dodge City, KS. He professed vows as a monk of Holy Cross Abbey, Canyon City, CO, on July 11, 1963. It was a sad moment for Brother David when Holy Cross Abbey was not able to continue; it began to close its doors in 2004 and the remaining monks sought transfer to a number of other monasteries. Brother David and his great friend Brother Matthew came to St. Gregory’s Abbey, and promised their stability here on September 3, 2006. It is bittersweet to note that Br. Matthew passed away suddenly less than a year ago on February 16, 2007, and Br. David will be buried in the Abbey Cemetery next to him.

He attended St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, CO, St. Bernard’s College in St. Bernard, AL, and St. Benedict College in Atchison, KS. He was a certified Instructor of Horsemanship from Ranchland in Dallas, TX. Br. David was extremely popular among the students and friends of Holy Cross Academy, serving as a mentor to many. Numerous Academy alumni have traveled to St. Gregory’s over the last two years to visit with their friend, Br. David. Since coming to St. Gregory’s, Br. David was a faithful and active member of the community. He put his training and long experience with horses and therapeutic riding to work at the stables at St. Gregory’s, assisting with the therapeutic horseback riding program located on campus. He quickly became highly regarded and beloved by members of the extended community of St. Gregory’s.

Br. David was diagnosed with gastro-esophageal cancer last March. He battled the disease with courage and faith. After he learned that his cancer had metastasized in December, he embraced God’s will for his life. The monks at St. Gregory’s are very grateful to members of Br. David’s Family, the Abbey Health Care Staff, and Heartland Hospice for making it possible for Br. David to remain at the monastery until his death.

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My Uncle Larry, known to his community of brothers as Brother David, lost his battle with cancer this morning. He will be greatly missed by his family and community. I have fond memories of him as a gentle man, always soft spoken and extremely kind.

My children got to spend time with him several years ago at Holy Cross Abbey . He showed my city kids the way the abbey farm worked. They spent time with him and the horses and goats. I got to see him in June when I was back in Kansas sadly for the funeral of another uncle. I am so glad I was able to be around him one more time before he left this world this morning.

Of the 12 Downey children there are now 5 remaining. They include my mother, Aunt Doris, Aunt Kate, Uncle Jerry and Uncle Tim.

Uncle Larry I will miss you.

Kathy

He Is Now 52!

I love to pick on him about his age because he has spent the last several months picking on me about mine. I am from June to January older than Jim so when he finally matches me I give back all I have been getting since I turned a year older than he was.

By the way his Touched By An Angel shirt was a gift from the show. He used to be facilities manager of a couple hospitals where a lot of their scenes were shot. His claim to fame was that he was hugged along with everyone else by Della Reese. He was also poked in the tummy once by Wynona Judd as she walked by and said "How ya doing today?".

Anyway happy birthday honey. I am off now to bake some birthday brownies rather than cake because he likes them better.

Thanks for reading.
Comments are always welcome.
Kathy

Yesterday

It was a quiet New Year's Eve and New Year's Day around here. Jim and I watched a couple movies in the evening and were barely awake when the neighbors started setting off fireworks at midnight. I am not complaining about the quiet evening or the fireworks. I enjoyed both.

On New Year's Day we got out of the house for awhile. First we went to a nearby mall and just strolled. We picked up some peanut butter and some chocolate chip cookies to bring home from Paradise Bakery. They are so yummy. No way do these fit into any resolution but sometimes you just gotta say so what.

The next spot was Canyon Lake. It is so nice to have such a pretty spot with water so close to our home in the desert. The lake level has been lowered recently to do repair work on a dam. You can see evidence of the lowered water levels in the photo below. It is hard to get an idea from the photo of how much it was lowered but I have read in the local paper it is down about 50 feet.

On the way home we stopped at The Mining Company Restaurant for dinner. It is a seasonal place that serves family style or from a menu. They are open from November to May which fits right in with the snowbird season here.

I will do more posting later on my goal setting and how that is going.
Thanks for reading and comments are always welcome.
Kathy