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


Perfect Post Cards – Picture and a Thousand Words

July 3, 2016

The Shrine of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution     You cannot take pictures inside the National Archives, where so many of our most important documents are stored, including The Declaration of Independence, The Constitution, and The Bill of Rights; however, you are free to visit them, should the opportunity ever arise,...
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From the Editor

July 1, 2016

A History     There was a day in May, now many years passed, where I remember sitting in my senior seminar, at the university, reading, listening, and discussing my classmate’s dissertations – our last hurdle to graduation. There were comments about punctuation and grammar, the meaning of terms and their application to each...
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Words Worth Thinking About

July 1, 2016

“Happiness in intelligent people is the rarest things I know.” ~ Ernest Hemingway ~ Painting by Henry Strater
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In the Wild!

June 28, 2016

The Charming Cows Are Enchanting!     Yes, I am going to use the words charming and enchanting to describe this herd of cows, because they truly were charming and enchanting!     I pulled over, to the side of the road, and they took notice; perhaps because so many were with their calves...
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A View from the Road

June 26, 2016

A View From the Strawberry Festival     In my continued journey, toward enjoying the summer season, in New England, I ventured to a Strawberry Festival, an event repeated in so many small towns around the country – whether it is a lobster or blueberry or garlic fiesta, the principal is the same, spend...
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Favorite Books

June 24, 2016

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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In the Garden

June 20, 2016

Pink Peonies     When we bought the house in Maine, the only element in the landscape, which drew my attention, was what I believed to be a pink rose bush. I saw the blooms in passing, and imagined cutting roses for my table; a joy I have not truly had since living in...
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Public Square

June 19, 2016

General George Patton Museum and Center of Leadership General George S. Patton, Jr., was one of the four star generals who led the allies to victory, during World War II. A colorful and complex character, he was a man of honor, integrity, and dedication; who bravely fought for our nation, including heroically in North...
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Food

June 15, 2016

Pie Crust!     I am feeling the desire for comfort food; and I have to say pie goes a long way toward making me feel safe and happy. Both sweet and savory pies are delicious and conjure up memories of special occasions, like being allowed to tag along with Mother and Wanda, as...
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Another Day of Anguish

June 12, 2016

June 12, 2016   “Jesus knew their thoughts and said to them, “Every kingdom divided against itself will be ruined, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand.” ~ Matthew 12:25~   I am in shock and heavily grieved today; I cannot believe I have spent yet another day, sitting in front of...
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Art


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