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


From the Editor

September 1, 2017

What Do You See     Do you need a closer look? I did. In fact, as I drove through Boston, a city I have been visiting for a life time, having lived in Brockton, as a child, and then making my way to Boston  again, before Hannah was born, and then repeatedly since...
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Action

August 31, 2017

Susan M Ellingsen Munster, IN   Though not related to those dealing with Hurricane Harvey, may I ask you to take a look at this page. The woman in question was one of our Readers neighbors and is still a good friend; anyone who has ever read our pages, knows exactly how much we...
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Action

August 31, 2017

How to Help Hurricane Harvey     “. . . Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.” ~ Matthew 25:40 ~   Dear Friends, I have asked one of our long time Readers, who lives in the area...
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In the Wild!

August 30, 2017

Bunny Rabbits at the Back Bay Fens     I so love pleasant surprises! Recently, while walking in the Back Bay Fens, part of the Emerald Necklace parks system that covers seven miles in Boston; my eyes were directed toward a small rustling noise, which to my delight was a small, brown bunny!  ...
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Favorite Books

August 29, 2017

Sitting By My Bedside     “One sure window into a person’s soul is his reading list.” ~ Mary B. W. Tabor ~   What are you reading?  Are you looking for your next great read?  Here is a look at what is sitting by my bedside, and which I am pleased to recommend....
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Public Square

August 27, 2017

South Union Shaker Village       “Tis a gift to be simple, ’tis a gift to be free ‘Tis a gift to come down where I ought to be And when I am in the place just right I will be in the valley of love and delight When true simplicity is gained...
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In Nature

August 22, 2017

The Tree – Yes, That Tree     As spring came into focus, this year, we decided it was time to deal with a few of the trees that were too close to the house, including The Tree. The Tree in our life, the infamous tree, is the tree that was involved in Kate’s...
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Art

August 9, 2017

To love a painting is to feel that this presence is… not an object but a voice. ~ Andre Malraux ~      Tents at Lake O’Hara by John Singer Sargent My interest in American artist has certainly grown, since being exposed to more of their efforts, on the East Coast. I was instantly drawn...
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Food

August 7, 2017

  Pickled Beets     My first memories of a “real” delicatessen are in California, going into Canter’s Deli that was open 24 hours a day! The deli had enough neon to belong in Los Angeles and enough of everything else – from good food to ambiance – to be a Jewish deli; however,...
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Perfect Post Cards – Picture and a Thousand Words

August 3, 2017

  The Giant Redwoods       I love this old postcard; it has been in my collection for years. This tree had been hallowed out by fire; allowing one to step inside of a giant redwood – or park your car! Our fascination with the giant redwoods, of northern California, began when they...
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Art


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