Feeds:
Posts
Comments

"A Christmas Memory From Long Ago" copyright 2008 John J. Rigo, upcoming "Passion Amidst Apathy"

December 7, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

Courtesy of free-christmas-deskstop-wallpaper.blogspot.com

 
 
 
This poem comes from a true story in my life…..I think it is timeless in its message.   The lesson is that when two people share love, as I and my childhood bride did then, it truly was all the processions we needed.  
 
 
It was our first Christmas together.
We both were eighteen
with barely more
than the clothes on our backs.
 
I was just out of basic training
in the U.S. Air Force.
She had just graduated from high school
and then wrote a bus to Savannah, Georgia,
to join me
the love of her life.
 
We had rented a several room apartment
on the second floor of an old Savannah home.
It was in a falling-down condition.
 
The gifts we shared were inexpensive
but meant the world in their value
and meaning to each of us.
 
She gave me a St. Christopher‘s medal of Silver
while I gave her a Catholic missal.
She wanted to become a Catholic like me
prior to us getting married.
 
I took a picture of her opening her present.
The smile upon her face was beautiful.
It was a Christmas in 1960.
 
It will always be a Christmas
I will always remember.
The lesson I learned
that day was
the love between us
was truly
the greatest gift
we could have shared
that Christmas. 
 

Posted in A Christmas Memory from the Past from a Texas' Poet, A Lesson About Love, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy" | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

“They Don’t Make Men Like Joe Anymore” copyright 2010 John J. Rigo, selection from upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

December 6, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

 
 
"Seasons" in Mabank, Texas

“Seasons” in Mabank, Texas

Commentary from December 2nd, 2013:  To me, the Christmas Season is the time of year for me to remember those who have passed on that were important to my life.  Following is another poem about another of those special individuals in my own life.

 
 
Joe passed away on February 12th, 2010.
It was after the record snow storm of February 2010.
The power went out in their home.
 
He and is wife, Christine were moving into temporary
quarters in the New Comfort Inn of Mabank, Texas
when he quietly passed on.
Joe would have been 81.
 
Joe was a sweet, loving and very kind man.
He loved McKinney, Texas.
Whenever he spoke of McKinney
his face took on a glow of peace,
his childhood, his friends, his memories
were many of those days in McKinney.
 
There was a deep longing in his voice
for some of those memories.
Some of those memories were with extreme joy,
while others seemed to carry regret.
 
As with all of us,
one could not have lived a full life
without a certain amount of regret.
 
I will miss Joe
and our talks,
when he sat down with us to visit
at the “Seasons” restaurant in Mabank, Texas.
 
Joe was proud of his wife Christine.
Joe loved Christine
with the deepest of love.
 
I myself, only have one regret
that I did not have more time
to know Joe Burton even more.
 
People like Joe are very special humans.
Sadly in this day and age
there are not enough
special people
to go around
for us all. 
 
 

Posted in Poetry, Texas' Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

"By His Manger" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Rainbows Amidst Storms"

December 5, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

 
 
Courtesy of backwoodsmama.com

Courtesy of backwoodsmama.com

Set aside your burden at my manger.
I have come to give My Love to you.
Side aside your fears
put away your tears.
 
Have I not promised by my arrival
eternal, everlasting joy to you.
Light beyond sight
sound in tune with angels’ voices
singing in My Love for you.
 
Come closer and bathe in my light.
Look into my eyes and see the innocence
in the truth of My Love
and care for you
now and forever. 

Posted in "By His Manager" A Christmas Poem by John J. RIgo, "Rainbows Amidst Storms" Second Published Book, A Christmas Poem to Share with my WordPress Followers | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

“A Christmas Message to my WordPress Family” copyright 2014, John J. Rigo, Texas’ Commentator and Published Poet

December 4, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

Silver Star Winery of Texas Silver Star Farm and Ranch of Texas

Silver Star Winery of Texas
Silver Star Farm and Ranch of Texas

It is here before us, Christmas Day, another counting of our lives on this earth.  Over the last year my WordPress family of now a little over 449 followers, and now at 63,000 plus hits as of today, November 4th, 2014, have become more important in my life, than ever.  Within that select group is another special group of individuals, that I wish where with me this day, sitting at our dining room table this Christmas season. 

To each of you I render a special hug, and a heartfelt thanks for the many sharings via comments on my poetry work and personal view comments.  When the quality of your friends become many steps above the folks that you call you friend that are your reality friends, one truly knows then, they found the right place to be.  That place for me in my heart, is with my WordPress Family.  Blessings and peace to each of you in your future and our eternal lives together, with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. 

John J. Rigo and Linda Stewart-Rigo
Stewart-Rigo Winery formerly Silver Star Winery of Texas
Silver Star Farm and Ranch of Texas
12551 FM 2709
Eustace, Texas 75124

Posted in 45000 hits as of Christmas Day on Texas' Poetry Site, A 2014 Christmas Message from a Texas' Poet, A Christmas Message to WordPress Family from John and Linda Stewart-Rigo | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 3 Comments »

"The Magic Christmas Bells of Florence Street" copyright 2008 John J. Rigo, upcoming book, "Passion Amidst Apathy"

December 2, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

 
 
 
 
Courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

Courtesy of telegraph.co.uk

This is a magical Christmas story from my past.
It was a new beginning for my life in 71′
a new marriage and becoming the Step-Father
of three children was my accomplishment.
 
It was Christmas eve 
just a few minutes before midnight.
We just got home from a trip to a family
gathering in Dallas.
 
It was cold with clear night skies
as we began to hear the sound of sleigh bells
over our home.
 
We all stood outside the front door
of our home in amazement,
as we hear the bells from far away
come closer overhead
then pass over our house
then on to the distance in sound.
 
We could not see anything overhead
but we all knew that evening
truly  St. Nick and his sleigh
had passed
somehow
over our home.
 
 

Posted in Christmas Poems by John J. Rigo in 2014, upcoming book "Passion Amidst Apathy" | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

“A Bundle of Greeting Cards From the Past” copyright 2014, John J. Rigo, upcoming poetry book, “Passion Amidst Apathy”

November 23, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

 
"Bundled Love Cards from the Past" copyright 2014 John J. Rigo

“Bundled Love Cards from the Past” copyright 2014 John J. Rigo

They were bundled greeting cards from the past.
They were behind some books in our library.
We were in the process of removing the books.
Our home was sold and we were moving.
 
My wife handled them with grace in finding them.
They were “Love Cards” from an old love in 84′.
Addressed to Johnny Rigo at Lone Star Cadillac.
A Cadillac dealership I worked for almost two years.
 
The dealership which was downtown Dallas
moved to Garland and was sold many years latter.
The head of the DeSanders family long dead.
His son hated the car business. 
 
As I set the cards aside without immediately reading them.
My wife remarked that she was happy that there was someone
who loved me then and took care of me with affection and comfort.
It was a stage of my life in 84′ after a seperation of a marriage
of 14 years and the responsibility of raising three step-children.
 
I hesitated to read the cards.
They sat on a night stand at our home
for a long time with a rubber band around them.
The cards spoke to me softly from their perch
saying, “Read us and Remember.” 
 
I reached for the cards and started reading.
Memories of you started flooding my mind.
Each of the cards were from you.
Each with a message of love from you.
 
I remembered you walking by my desk window
each day and watching the wind blow your dress
above your beautiful legs.
 
You waved and smiled a “Hello” each time you passed.
I finally found the courage to step out-door one day to speak to you
as you were getting ready to walk again by my window on Ross Avenue.
 
With my words of laughter that it was time to officially met.
I knew at “first verbal and eye to eye contact”
it was an immediate love connection for the both of us.
 
It was great loving you.
It was wonderful for us to sleep together whenever we could.
We were child-like in our discovering each other.
 
Deep within me I knew that we would never be permanent.
I remember breaking your heart one day.
Your tears for two hours on my answering machine.
You quite your job packed your bags and left town forever.
 
Today I am with the woman of my dreams.
We have been together now twenty-five years.
Every dream we have ever had together
we are accomplishing each day in the love we share.
 
I have you to thank for that
for you see
you taught me
how to love again. 
 
 

Posted in A New Poem from the Winner of the Collin County Poetry Award in Texas | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

"The Journey" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Roses Amidst Thorns"

November 18, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

.....is never lost. Picture courtesy of John J. Rigo copyrighted 2013

…..is never lost. Picture courtesy of John J. Rigo copyrighted 2013

 
A ship in the sea of life
riding each wave of life
seeking the warm sun of each day.
 
The beauty of each dream as night falls
is never lost as it heads
toward the curve of each horizon.
 
Storms will blow
onward do we flow
in love and courage
by His hand.
 
Tomorrow brings the knowing in His love
the vastness of the ocean
is not so alone.
 
As long as we believe
we will never be alone.
 
For His love
surpasses all of this.
 
This and time beyond
this brief sea of life.          
                                                                                      

 

                                                                                                                                

Posted in "Rainbows Amidst Storms" Second Published Book, A christmas journey, A Poem in Honor of Valentine Day for My Wife, A Poem telling of the Journey of Life by John J. Rigo, A Published and Award Winning Poet in Henderson County Texas, encrypted_divison_doj9640, Moving thru life in a poem by John J. Rigo, Selection from "Roses Amidst Thorns" published in 2005, Texas' Poetry, The eternal journey of our lives, What is in the Journey of our Lives? | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

"Our Dance" copyright 2005 John J. Rigo "Roses Amidst Thorns" (Former winning poem in a Collin County, Texas writing contest)

November 16, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

 
 

Courtesy of 123rf.com

What is the name of that song?
It does not matter
let us be silly and dance
swirling and twirling across the floor.
 
Our youth flashes before our laughing faces.
Yesterdays move into the now of our beat together
swirling steps into the footprints of ashen time.
 
For a golden time
our memories of the pain in our past
is no more.
 
We have each other
with our own very special song
and our own very special dance. 

Posted in "Rainbows Amidst Storms" Second Published Book, First Place Winning Poem in Collin Country Texas' Poetry Contest, Poetry, Winning Poem by John J. Rigo of Collin County Poetry Contest, Winning Texas' Poetry | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

“A Gift to My WordPress Followers” copyright 2014, John J. Rigo, Texas’ Commentator and Poet

November 14, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

copyright 2014, John J. Rigo. Photo taken on Cedar Creek Lake in Texas on afternoon of 9/11/2014

copyright 2014, John J. Rigo. Photo taken on Cedar Creek Lake in Texas on afternoon of 9/11/2014

copyright 2013 John J. Rigo: Picture taken on Northwood Shores on Cedar Creek Lake in Texas on November 14th, 2013 with a Smartphone a 9:15 a.m.

copyright 2013 John J. Rigo: Picture taken on Northwood Shores on Cedar Creek Lake in Texas on November 14th, 2013 with a Smartphone a 9:15 a.m.

"A Sunrise each morning at Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas, reminds me of all the blessings the Lord has rendered me." copyright 2014 John J. Rigo. Taken January 11th, 2013.

“A Sunrise each morning at Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas, reminds me of all the blessings the Lord has rendered me.” copyright 2014 John J. Rigo. Taken January 11th, 2013.

.....is never lost. Picture courtesy of John J. Rigo copyrighted 2013. Taken December 29th, 2012.

…..is never lost. Picture courtesy of John J. Rigo copyrighted 2013. Taken December 29th, 2012.

Taken December 23rd, 2012.

Taken December 23rd, 2012.

Taken October 21st, 2012.

Taken October 21st, 2012.

View of Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas at Gun Barrel City on September 28th 2012 at 7 a.m. photo by John J. Rigo with Samsung Smart Phone

View of Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas at Gun Barrel City on September 28th 2012 at 7 a.m. photo by John J. Rigo with Samsung Smart Phone

Taken July 15th, 2012.

Taken July 15th, 2012.

Taken February 25th, 2012.

Taken February 25th, 2012.

Taken February 25th, 2012.

Taken February 25th, 2012.

Taken February 25th, 2012.

Taken February 25th, 2012.

Over the eight years that we have had our lake front home on Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas on Northwood Shores in Gun Barrel City, Texas, I have taken and shared hundreds of pictures on my WordPress blog.  This morning, I felt this recent picture is one of the best.  Have a great and blessed day to all! I thought I would share some other additional pictures also taken over time.  What is your favorite?

Lake front picture taken on Cedar Creek lake in East Texas. Taken November 14, 2014 at 6:49 a.m. with Samsung Smart phone, copyright 2014 by John J. Rigo

Lake front picture taken on Cedar Creek lake in East Texas. Taken November 14, 2014 at 6:49 a.m. with Samsung Smart phone, copyright 2014 by John J. Rigo

Posted in A Beautiful Sunrise Morning at Cedar Creek Lake in East Texas | Tagged , , , , | Leave a Comment »

“Honoring My Fellow Veterans This Veterans Day for 2014” copyright 2014 John J. Rigo, Texas Commentator

November 11, 2014 by John J. Rigo, Texas' Poet and Commentator

Basic Training and Adminstrative School, U.S. Air Force 1959, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas

A Veteran's Memorial in Mabank Texas (In the Cedar Creek Lake area) noting my military service.

A Veteran’s Memorial in Mabank Texas (In the Cedar Creek Lake area) noting my military service.

Administrator, Cosmic Top Secret Control Registry for Headquaters ICEDEFOR under NATO Command, 1962-1963, John J. Rigo Airman First Class, Age 21

This blog posting is an opportunity to honor both fallen soldiers and living veterans across our nation. Only us former veterans who served can understand the bond we share, in the Love and Honor that we render to our country.  This blog posting is to honor those veterans who have served our country this Veterans Day of November 11th, 2014. John J. Rigo Served honorably from 1959 to 1963 in the U.S. Air Force in both SAC and the NATO Commands.  My fellow veterans, families who have lost loved ones in service for their country, and those of you who Love America this honored day, feel free to post your “Like” link to show your support for our veterans.

Posted in Honor to My Fellow Veterans this Day of November 11th 2014, Post your "Like" link to show Support for Our Veterans, Supporting and Honoring our Veterans for the Christmas Season | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »