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

September 5, 2015

A Day Late and a Dollar Short     I happened to be in South Carolina, the week the Confederate flag was taken down, at the State House, in response to the senseless and brutal murder of a group of people, at a Bible study.   I had debated whether or not to attend...
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Poet’s Corner

September 1, 2015

Time   I remember when time stood still on long summer days and even cold winter nights.   But not anymore, time no longer lingers.   A day at the beach or a walk through the woods should be enough to silence the hurried hand of time, but they are not.   Time will...
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From the Editor

September 1, 2015

 My First Autograph How I wish my Father Had Lived to See Our Countrymen Making History “Cruz is one of three Latinos in the Senate; the others—also Americans of Cuban ancestry—are fellow Republican Marco Rubio of Florida and Democrat Bob Menendez of New Jersey.” ~ Wikipedia ~ After I said my goodnight prayers, I...
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Food

August 29, 2015

It Became a Birthday Cake The Best Chocolate Cake Ever I know this is most likely the least attractive photograph I have ever posted; but it perfectly captures the most remarkable chocolate cake, I have ever made. I could not believe how flawlessly the cakes came out of the pan – their shape, density,...
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Perfect Post Cards – Picture and a Thousand Words

August 28, 2015

Pisa Italy   “Here for an hour. Hope you are all well. Love ~ Gertie ~  As summer travels wind down, here are a few postcards from one of many must see spots in Italy.     I love this black and white glossy postcard, from 1954.     This may well be my...
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Action

August 28, 2015

“Connect and Encourage” Are you looking for a way to positively impact someone’s life?  The link below will lead you to a list of various people who could use a card or note, letting them know that the world has not forgotten them, as they deal with political and religious persecution, most are currently...
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In the Wild!

August 20, 2015

One Of The Many Great Debates     A while back, in this section, I featured peafowl, which I had spotted in Coral Gables, Florida. I was thrilled when I saw them, happily flying around the neighborhood, enjoying the sunshine, and their freedom. http://thatisallfornow.com/?p=6144#.Vc_AVrPTDzF     I had not seen previously seen peachicks, thus...
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In the Garden

August 16, 2015

A Corporate Garden     How would you like to eat lunch here Monday thru Friday? Recently, I found myself in a large corporate complex, with a few free minutes that turned into a very relaxing walk. Originally, I had spied the sculpture, which looks like a flock of birds taking off or landing, depending on...
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Favorite Books

August 15, 2015

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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Cuba Libre

August 14, 2015

Cuba Libre “He who uses the office he owes to the voters wrongfully and against them is a thief.” ~ Jose Marti ~ Walking the streets of Washington D.C., I saw the familiar words uttered by so many for so long – Cuba Libre has been our prayer, our mantra, our hope – is...
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Art


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