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
Vacancy We pulled over, in Pennsylvania, drawn by a sign advertising sheep skin coats; alas the coat was not to be, but this sign, in front of an old small motel, caught my interest. I wondered how long it had been since the “No” had been lit up; the small courtyard like establishment...
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How Are You? I have asked that question a lot lately. People usually say something along the lines of fine or okay. I am never quite sure they are telling me the complete truth, but I assume they are at least fifty percent fine or okay, and are willing to settle for that being...
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Is Someone Holding Our Place The world has gone to sleep Or at least to take a nap Do you question What it all means And When will it wake up again The streets are empty Shops closed And Where we gathered darkened Will life stir again If so When For the...
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Imperfect Pictures Some With Words and Others Without There are many reasons I snap a photograph. I have previously written about the sheer joy of volume that digital photography provides us with; for me, the opportunity to get the “perfect picture” because I can take a dozen shots, in the moment, and later...
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The Florida Brown Pelican I do not believe we are being “imprisoned”; but I do understand and can relate to our desire to be free again. For me it is not just the freedom to leave my house and hit the road; but I long to be free of this unseen virus, which...
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To love a painting is to feel that this presence is… not an object but a voice. ~ Andre Malraux ~ Norte Dame Cathedral, Paris by Childe Hassam It has been a year since we all woke up to the news that this beautiful cathedral, a piece of art, in its own right,...
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Authorized Vehicles Only Tow – Away – Zone This photograph was taken in the City of Miami Beach; away from the touristy Art Deco and sandy beach part of the city. I have no idea who the boy, sitting on the chain is, or how long he was there, before I came...
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Center of the 48 States Lebanon, Kansas is the geographic center of the lower 48 states. Until we came across this sign serendipitously, it had never occurred to me that this was a place I wanted to see! The plaque on the stone foundation But it turned out that I...
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“Keep Calm and Carry On” I had been rather excited on February 27, of this year, when I received an email from the Smithsonian, announcing that on April 4th, they would be sponsoring “Free Museum Day”. You know how much I look forward to this day in September, though it usually conflicts...
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My Disclaimer: I have to say that I feel torn. Like most publications of this type, I visit and photograph the locations; I share with you, about a year ahead of time. Thus, going forward, for the time being, know that I am strictly adhering to the government’s council to social distance; but I...
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