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

August 6, 2020

Goodnight! The setting sun; in the Nevada desert.  Can you believe those colors?  I so love the gifts, which the road unexpectedly brings into our lives.
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Poet’s Corner

August 6, 2020

I Miss You I miss the laughter. I miss the sound of the children running down the hall  and jumping into the pool. I miss the serving dishes being utilized and the vases filled with flowers. I miss anticipating your arrival. I miss adorning the teacart with berries and delicacies, which I think you...
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Nature

July 24, 2020

Opuntia Microdasys Or Bunny Ear Cactus   I cannot honestly say why I am drawn to this cacti, but I am. Yes, like all of its siblings and cousins, those spines are painful, and you must be careful when handling it. But in these days, which feel covered in thorns, I so want to...
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Public Square

July 14, 2020

U.S.S. Indianapolis On my first trip to Europe alone, I sat next to the wife of a serviceman, who was stationed overseas, and whom she was going to Spain to see. We chatted for a good portion of the flight, and she offered me the best travel advice, I have ever been given.  “You...
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In the Wild!

July 7, 2020

A Deer and a Friend Look who came for a visit!  One deer came first, and then its friend showed up.  They both explored the yard, oblivious to my presence; I did try to stay out of their way and watched them play, from a distance. Yes, I am sharing these pictures with you,...
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From the Editor

July 1, 2020

Truncated “If you had known who I am, then you would have known who my Father is. From now on you know him—and have seen him!” ~ John 14: 7~ Many years ago, I took a correspondence course, offered through my denomination; the classes were held, at the church I was a member of. ...
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A View From the Road

July 1, 2020

Arcadia Round Barn Once upon a time, this round barn, in Oklahoma, was the most photographed landmark, on Rout 66.  I of course had no idea it existed, or was such an iconic piece of Americana, when we happened to pull over, to photograph it, as we traveled, pre-quarantine, on Rout 66. This is...
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Poet’s Corner

July 1, 2020

Happy Thoughts I miss being okay. Do you remember when we were okay? One moment we were fine, I would not say we were outstanding or even content really, but we were all okay, yes, at the very least we were okay; now suddenly none of us are even okay. The world no longer...
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Nature

June 27, 2020

Aechmea The Bromeliad with that Pink Flower, not a Pineapple, the other most famous Bromeliad   I am still here, though I am having trouble writing about food and plants and especially history, in Public Square. Can politics be put aside?  I do not know, but regardless of how or why we got here,...
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Holiday’s

June 20, 2020

Father’s Day (My Father, Mother, holding my sister Caroline, Joy and me)   Regardless of pandemics, financial crises, or social unrest, we do not want to forget to honor our fathers; you still have time to buy a card! I lost my father more thn thirty years ago, but it does not mean that...
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Art


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