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

June 16, 2015

Looking Up     Driving to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, I spotted this cloud formation, which to me appeared to be the glowing wing of an angel.  It was one of the few times, in my life, which I was happy to be sitting in traffic, as I was able to snap a few pictures.
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Favorite Books

June 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...
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Food

June 15, 2015

So Much More than a Ricotta Pie Crostata di Ricotta   I found the original recipe, for this dessert, in The Cooking of Italy.  I have made a few changes, but essentially this is a recipe from ancient Rome.  It is labor intensive, but worth the effort. You will need a large spring-form pan,...
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Public Square

June 12, 2015

 Historic Capitol of Florida – 1845       Located in Tallahassee, the building which once housed the state’s capitol is now a very visitor friendly museum, with free admission and a wonderfully helpful staff.     The building is located in the same area as the new Capitol, which may also be toured,...
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From the Editor

June 8, 2015

Consistency and Change Walking down a street where I once knew every homeowner by name, I realize that there is only one house left, whose occupants I know, and then only because they bought their mother’s house.  I used to walk this neighborhood, before I owned a cellphone, confident that if something happened during...
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Public Square

May 25, 2015

Just a Quick Stroll Charlotte, North Carolina   With a few moments on my hands, I parked the car, to take a few pictures  in ‘uptown’ Charlotte of  four bronze sculptures, by Raymond Kaskey, which define Independence Square. Commerce   Industry   Transportation Future “Commerce: The man depicted here is a 19th century gold prospector....
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Art

May 23, 2015

To love a painting is to feel that this presence is… not an object but a voice. ~ Andre Malraux ~  In the Garden  by Mary Cassatt This painting is gorgeous! I just plain love this little girl’s face, dress, and most especially her hat!  The black ribbon outlines the rim of her hat,...
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Perfect Post Cards – Picture and a Thousand Words

May 18, 2015

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial Mt. Rushmore is an American icon, very much off of the beaten path; but worth the effort of making your way to the Black Hills, of South Dakota.  The massive sculpture of President George Washington, President Thomas Jefferson, President Theodore Roosevelt, and President Abraham Lincoln, was created by Gutzon Borglum,...
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Favorite Books

May 17, 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...
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In the Garden

May 12, 2015

A Community Garden Lafayette Greens     While in Detroit, I went searching for the famed Coney hotdog, which I found; but infinitely more pleasurable, was the lovely community garden, in the middle of the city, steps away from the hotdog.     I love the concept of green spaces, in the city, and...
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Art


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