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


A View from the Road

December 1, 2020

PCH     There are few drives which can compare to the Pacific Coast Highway in California.  She offers you endless miles of beauty and teases you with possible adventures, daring you to continue a few more miles.  What lies down the road?  
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Poet’s Corner

December 1, 2020

An Ice-cream Scoop She is overwhelmed And perhaps in a bit of shock As I extend my hand toward hers Her thank you Are the most sincere words I have ever heard uttered She has been asking the cashier For the total after each item is rung Clutching her wallet Trying to calculate What...
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In the Wild!

November 25, 2020

Mortimore     This is Mortimore; we call him Morti.   I am tempted to say he knows his name, but that is not true.  He does however, know that if he comes to the back door, at Kate’s office, she will get up and feed him. Morti steps aside, not too far away, until...
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Public Square

November 23, 2020

The MacArthur Memorial Duty * Honor * Country   This was a much anticipated stop, which I am so glad we were able to make; the memorial, located in Norfolk, Virginia, pays tribute to General Douglas MacArthur’s life and career. One of the things which made this such an outstanding museum was the General...
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Food

November 20, 2020

Greek Inspired Green Beans     This is the time of year when I begin to crave those hearty vegetable dishes, as well as stews and soups. Fresh green beans require a bit more time to prepare, but are certainly worth the effort, especially if you like them with more texture, as I do....
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Holiday’s

November 11, 2020

Veteran’s Day   As a nation, the United States is feeling a bit battered, regardless of which side of the aisle you are on.  This has been one of the most contentious elections that I can remember; and there is still so much unfinished business. We have also borne witness to wide spread civil...
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Art

November 5, 2020

To love a painting is to feel that this presence is… not an object but a voice. ~ Andre Malraux ~  School Time by Winslow Homer Are you surprised?   I was.  It is not that I only expect seascapes from Winslow Homer, but I think of his work as being more dramatic and in...
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From the Editor

November 1, 2020

November 2020 Growing up New Year’s Eve was spent in church; we had a vigilia, an all-night vigil, or prayer meeting.  There would be food, of course, and lots of socializing, along with prayer.   I miss those New Year celebrations. Since those long gone days, I do not think much about the New Year...
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Poet’s Corner

November 1, 2020

Ready or Not Change calls out to us: “Ready or not here I come!” Wait! I respond; I am not ready. But whether we are ready or not is actually of no concern to her. She was just stating a fact, not asking a question. Either way she is coming and we must embrace...
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A View from the Road

October 31, 2020

Pony Express I spotted this homage to the Pony Express, while driving through Kansas.  Regardless of the current issues we are dealing with, the postal service has come a long way; for which I am grateful.
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Art


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