Category Archives: Elders

On Being A Curmudgeon

Posted on May 19, 2017 by poemsandponderings

On Being A Curmudgeon When summer arrives just a bit too soon and gets one to complainin’ is there not then something wrong? Since the spring’s been mostly rainin’? I’m thinkin’ that it must be the New Englander here inside … Continue reading →

Posted in Americana, Elders, honesty, in my opinion, life, Life's Journey, old days, poet, reflections, Summer, thoughts, warning, Why is it? | Tagged community, curmudgeonry, Grumpy, Jack Downing, Jake, Old age and patience, Poetry, Thought | 6 Comments

Just Some Passage Of Time

Posted on April 21, 2016 by poemsandponderings

This is a first hand report on the process of aging and the results of same. Please enjoy the latest emission from the mind of a newly inducted curmudgeon. Time does not necessarily heal all wounds my … Continue reading →

Posted in children, Elders, fleeting time, history, humor, in my opinion, life, lifetime, Magic line, men, mischievious, old days, poet, Poetry, scars, warning, women | Tagged crossing the line, fine wine, Jack Downing, Jake, old timer, passage, relationships, the aging process, Thought | 7 Comments

Questions Of A Lifetime

Posted on February 10, 2016 by poemsandponderings

Some questions that I’m sure most, if not all, of us could ask ourselves as we pass through the stages of life. And to those of us who have passed through more than just a few, I think … Continue reading →

Posted in Elders, Family, fleeting time, humilty, humor, joy and sorrow, life, lifetime, old days, poet, Poetry, reflections | Tagged cynicism, Follies of youth, friends, Jack Downing, Poetry, present or past, Questions of a lifetime, relationships, Thought, wisdom of age | 5 Comments

Father’s Day

Posted on June 20, 2015 by poemsandponderings

Here’s wishing all of the “dads” a Happy Father’s Day. Jake. Father’s Day Any man can be a father but not all can be a dad it takes a special kind of guy to love you when you’re … Continue reading →

Posted in blessings, Elders, Family, Father, God, history, joy and sorrow, men, old days | Tagged Dad, Father's Day, God, Greatest Gift, Jack Downing, Jake, Life's lessons, Sunday | 2 Comments

My Father Who Art In Heaven

Posted on May 17, 2015 by poemsandponderings

Last week when I published “A Mother’s Gift” I said I would re-post something that would honor my father as well, but instead, I wrote the following. As you will undoubtedly see, I took my inspiration from “The Lord’s Prayer” … Continue reading →

Posted in demise, Elders, Father, God, history, military/veterans, old days, Sunday | Tagged Christianity, God, Heaven, Jack Downing, Jake, Lord, relationships, Religion and Spirituality, spirituality | 5 Comments

The Farmer’s Almanac In Haiku

Posted on October 2, 2014 by poemsandponderings

‘And now for something completely different’* “The Farmer’s Almanac in Haiku.” Try these on for size a somewhat different view of the Almanac. ………………………………… Please enjoy, and comment. Jake. The Farmer’s Almanac In Haiku Some predictions come from … Continue reading →

Posted in Animals, ecology, Elders, environment, Haiku, humor, Seasons, Uncategorized | Tagged art, Haiku, Jack Downing, Jake, nature, outdoors, Poetry | 4 Comments

Life In A Nutshell

Posted on June 13, 2014 by poemsandponderings

A little more self-reflection from the fringe.. Have a wonderful weekend everyone and a Happy Father’s day to all of the dads out there. Jake. A Life In A Nutshell I’ve been a … Continue reading →

Posted in Elders, Father, history, humor, life, lifetime, old days, reflections | Tagged Friday, Happy Father's day, Jack Downing, Jake, Poetry, Searching | Leave a comment

The Saga Of DD Fifty-Three*

Posted on June 8, 2013 by poemsandponderings

With the 69th anniversary of D-Day, June 6, 1944, this past week, I thought I would post a tribute to those who served so well and so long, to keep this nation free and strong. Their numbers are dwindling rapidly … Continue reading →

Posted in Americana, Elders, Freedom, history, land of the free, men, oceans, seafarers, ships, women | Tagged German, Military, Navy, Norfolk, North Sea, Ships, Submarine, U-boat, U.S. Navy, United States, United States Navy | 2 Comments

A Mother’s Gift

Posted on May 12, 2013 by poemsandponderings

My mother, Marie Downing, died on May 9th, 2009 just before Mother’s Day. I wrote this poem in her honor shortly thereafter. Every word of it is the truth. May she rest in peace amongst the angels. I would like to … Continue reading →

Posted in demise, education, Elders, Family, history, mourning, old days, poet, soul, truth | Tagged E-zines, Family, Gift, Holidays, Home, Mother, Mother's Day, Parenting | 10 Comments

The Old Man At The Shrine

Posted on May 7, 2013 by poemsandponderings

I can’t think of a lead-in that would adequately describe the following poem, so I’ll let you read it and decide for yourselves what meaning or message it may carry. Here’s hoping that your Tuesday is tremendous. The … Continue reading →

Posted in beer, education, Elders, history, old days, rum, tavern, whiskey | Tagged God, Jack Downing, Jack G. Downing, Jake, Publishers, Templates, Tools, WordPress | 2 Comments