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


In the Wild!

May 10, 2015

The Hope of Spring!   Pulling into Charlotte’s we were greeted by this beautiful red cardinal, completely appropriate for Ohio – the hope of spring and warmer days ahead!
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Poet’s Corner

May 9, 2015

State Route 2     Winding around the lake, mile after mile, I see that she is still here. Were you worried she was gone?   I was too, but apparently she is safe; and dare I say thriving.   It is not just a dream.   They have gathered behind home plate, cheers...
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A View from the Road

May 9, 2015

Smiley     Driving through Huron, Ohio, I happened to notice a smiley face, outside of someone’s home.  I of course thought of my Mother, and her smiley face Jesus Loves You tracks, which she passed out for years.     Continuing the drive, I saw another smiley face, and by the third bright...
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From the Editor

May 3, 2015

A Call for Civility Equates to “big fat Clown Cristina” “Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone?  Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake?  If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will...
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Food

May 1, 2015

The Hot Brown As the Kentucky Derby approaches, I thought I would share the “Hot Brown” with you.  While I am not normally a huge fan of turkey, this sandwich certainly knows how to dress it up, to where it is past delicious.  I am not offering you my own recipe, as I would...
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Favorite Books

April 29, 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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Perfect Post Cards – Picture and a Thousand Words

April 28, 2015

To Mrs. Hazel Cooper Date November 4, 1959, this old post card was actually sent to my Grandmother Hazel.  It is made from linen, and beautifully colored, capturing the Edison estate in Fort Myers, Florida, whose gardens are truly remarkable.  I have been fortunate enough to visit the Edison and Ford Winter Estates, and...
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Art

April 27, 2015

To love a painting is to feel that this presence is… not an object but a voice. ~ Andre Malraux ~ Himself and Herself By Robert Henri I was immediately drawn to these portraits, which the artist painted while on a trip to Ireland.  I found her beautiful, with a slight sparkle, almost as...
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In the Garden

April 24, 2015

Does one day of beauty have value?     Recently, while in Florida, my former neighbor’s gardenia bush, only offered me one gardenia, while I was in town.  I gladly brought the one bloom home, but a friend was coming over for a bite to eat, and I was in need of fresh flowers,...
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Points of Interest

April 20, 2015

Daily, I share with facebook readers, sites and articles which I find of interest; I apologize for not updating this page, as often as I should.  There is no way to catch you up on all that has been posted, but I encourage you to take a look at our facebook page, if you...
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Art


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