Cristina Jill

Late Ripeness “Not soon, as late as the approach of my ninetieth year, I felt a door opening in me and I entered the clarity of early morning. One after another my former lives were departing, like ships, together with their sorrow. And the countries, cities, gardens, the bays of seas assigned to my brush came closer, ready now to be described better than they were before. I was not separated from people, grief and pity joined us. We forget - I kept saying - that we are all children of the King. For where we come from there is no division into Yes and No, into is, was, and will be. We were miserable, we used no more than a hundredth part of the gift we received for our long journey. Moments from yesterday and from centuries ago - a sword blow, the painting of eyelashes before a mirror of polished metal, a lethal musket shot, a caravel staving its hull against a reef - they dwell in us, waiting for a fulfillment. I knew, always, that I would be a worker in the vineyard, as are all men and women living at the same time, whether they are aware of it or not.” ~ Czeslaw Milosz ~ My name is Cristina Jill Mosqueda Cooper. I pause looking at my name, and think about how much there is to explain with those words alone. My mother gave me a name to use in each of my worlds, Cristina for my Cuban life, and Jill for the American life. I suppose it is there were the paradoxes of my life began. I have been many things in my life, from a housekeeper to a high school history teacher; but no matter what else I did, I was always a writer. I love words and the power and passion which they can be used to create. I love reading words, writing words, speaking words, and listening to words – especially words from people that I love and respect. It is my desire to live life on my own terms, and willingly or not, I have paid the price demanded, by the world, to be myself. I share my life with Kate, with whom I have lived for the last 23 years, and Miss Merry Margaret, our little mutt who really is the world’s most perfect dog. I also travel, cook, garden, sculpt, and make large messes doing all of the above. Welcome to my world, that is all for now.

Web Site: http://thatisallfornow.com


Action

June 24, 2011
Action

Delta Airlines to Bar Jews From Flights This is a story which must be followed. Delta Airlines plans to partner with Saudi Arabia to discriminate against Jews, do not allow this to happen.  Surely, an American company cannot be allowed to participate in this evil and despicable behavior.  Delta will respond to financial pressure,...
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Favorite Books

June 23, 2011
Favorite Books

The Greater Journey Americans in Paris By David McCullough Are you looking for summer reading?  Take a look at the New York Times Best Sellers List, you may find something you are interested in:  http://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/overview.html  The number one spot, on their Hardcover list, is by one of my favorite authors and historians, David McCullough,...
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Food

June 22, 2011

  Olive Salad This recipe is inspired by Central Grocery’s muffuletta sandwich, which is loaded with Italian cold cuts, fine cheese, and olive salad.  By the way, if you are headed toward the French Quarter in New Orleans, make sure you visit Decatur Street on any day other than Sunday, when the Central Grocery...
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Art

June 17, 2011

 To love a painting is to feel that this presence is… not an object but a voice. ~ Andre Malraux ~   Homer By Joyce Pensato Though I am not normally an overly enthusiastic fan of Pop art, this large enamel on linen canvas drew me in, and made me smile.  In honor of...
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A View from the Road

June 11, 2011

  A Flock of Flamingos   Driving along the highway in Minnesota, I spot a flock of flamingos – much to my surprise!  Sherwood Forest RV Park, brightening up what seems to be an unplanned little lake.
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In the Garden

June 4, 2011

    Irises As Promised Completing our series on flower bulbs, in the garden, here are the irises, as promised.  In Lynchburg, Tennessee, we happened upon these beautiful irises, all growing along an old rod-iron fence.  The display of color was sublime.  Enjoy!                          ...
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In the Wild!

June 3, 2011

  California Sea Lions On a delightful spring day, I heard the sea lions honking at each other and began to walk toward the chatter.  I came across these joyful animals, lounging in and out of the Pacific, in Santa Cruz, California.   They seem not to have a care in the world.  To learn...
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Public Square

June 1, 2011

Any Town USA Initially, I had planned to discuss this specific town, in conjunction with “What Has Happened to America?” which appears in “From the Editor”.  Exploring what had happened here.  However, the towns  own website is soliciting citizens to Adopt-A-Street, to help clean up the very images I present in this photographic essay;...
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From the Editor

June 1, 2011
From the Editor

What Has Happened to America?  It is not without cause that so many songwriters have immortalized California’s Ventura Highway, the 101, in verse.  There is something about driving down the101 with the windows rolled down, and the music turned up a bit higher than normal, which defies words.  The rushing wind, hot sunshine, smells...
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Poet’s Corner

June 1, 2011
Poet’s Corner

 In the Middle of this Century by Yehuda Amichai In the middle of this century we turned to each other With half faces and full eyes Like an ancient Egyptian picture And for a short while. I stroked your hair In the opposite direction to your journey. We called to each other, Like calling...
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Art


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