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


The Dialogue

September 22, 2013

A “Happy Birthday” Card My Mother lived in a world where she had to make do, in oh so many ways; and somehow she would mostly manage. I feel rather certain this was not originally a birthday card, but that did not matter.  What was important was that she wanted to wish me a...
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Art

September 20, 2013

  To love a painting is to feel that this presence is… not an object but a voice. ~ Andre Malraux ~   The Automat by Edward Hopper   Autumn has arrived too early; and Hopper has once again left his subject looking melancholy.   Art can never exist without naked beauty displaced. ~...
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Poet’s Corner

September 20, 2013

Second Draft   Second draft – Well I make it this time? Well I write you a letter? Well I somehow find the courage to write what I am really thinking – feeling? I always start with good intentions. Determined to match your literary masterpiece, with a creation of my own, penned on fine,...
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Food

September 17, 2013

Roasted Pork   This is my favorite way to prepare pork. Though it takes a bit of time, the results will not disappoint. Use a pork shoulder or picnic roast. You can make this in the oven and it will be quite delicious, but I prefer a low charcoal fire, where it is smoked...
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In the Garden

September 12, 2013

Hong Kong Orchid When Joan Hayden determined she wanted something, there was no limit to the effort she would put forth, to ensure her desire was met.  Thus, when Joan decided we should grow a Hong Kong Orchid tree, as the flowers were beautiful, she procured the seedlings, and I planted them. At the...
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Public Square

September 11, 2013

Peekskill   “This memorial is dedicated to all whose lives were lost in the terrorist attack of September 11, 2001 Erected in memory of our fallen brother, Sam Oitice FDNY Ladder 4, Peekskill Engine 134 We shall never forget The chiefs, Officers and Members of the Peekskill Fire Department”   The first 9-11 Memorial,...
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A View from the Road

September 3, 2013

Autumn Has Arrived!     We spotted this beautiful display of autumn bounty on our way home from the fair!
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From the Editor

September 1, 2013

Change “Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”  ~ Leo Tolstoy ~ Lately, it seems that the only consistent thing in my life is change – except for my friends; I will get back to that one very important and invaluable element of life, later. Have you ever...
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Housekeeping

August 29, 2013
Housekeeping

I got the blues thinking of the future, so I left off and made some marmalade. It’s amazing how it cheers one up to shred oranges and scrub the floor. ~ D. H. Lawrence ~ Manasseh Press Incorporated!   We are pleased to announce that Manasseh Press has officially become a non-profit corporation; we...
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In the Wild!

August 22, 2013

Blue Hereon   I love when a large blue hereon decides to stop by and check out the garden.   He knows I have spied him.   He will keep his on eye on me.     I so wish I had my other camera.     Or perhaps some advanced notice that he...
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Art


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