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


Food

July 12, 2013

Marinara     Is your garden producing a bumper crop of tomatoes, peppers, onions and herbs? Or have you been lured by inviting farm stands, buying more zucchini, mushrooms, and garlic than you can imagine using before they spoil? Do not fret, make marinara sauce! This is my work horse sauce. I make it...
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In the Garden

July 7, 2013

For Kelly   At my Mother’s memorial service, among other things, Kate spoke about Mother’s love of nature and how she was constantly planting any seeds which fell into her hands – from the pit of an avocado that was served for lunch to the seeds from a bell pepper which was used for...
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A View from the Road

July 4, 2013

A View from Betsy Ross’ House   Wishing you a Happy 4th of July!
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The Reverends Ignacio and Stella Cooper Mosqueda Book Scholarship

July 3, 2013

The Reverends Ignacio and Stella Cooper Mosqueda Book Scholarship     “The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man; nothing else that he builds ever lasts.  Monuments fall, nations perish, civilizations grow old and die out, and after an era new races build others.  But in the world of books are...
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From the Editor

July 3, 2013

The Reverends Ignacio and Stella Cooper Mosqueda Book Scholarship “The world of books is the most remarkable creation of man; nothing else that he builds ever lasts.  Monuments fall, nations perish, civilizations grow old and die out, and after an era new races build others.  But in the world of books are volumes that...
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Poet’s Corner

June 23, 2013

Gilded Cage   It is a perfect cage Flawlessly glided But permanently sealed There is only one way in And no way out   It lacks for nothing The accommodations are impeccable No need to request service As all needs are met Without so much As a stated request   Attention and affection Are...
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Public Square

June 17, 2013

Our Nations Smallest Post Office     “Considered to be the smallest post office in the United States, this building was formerly an irrigation pipe shed belonging to the J. T. Gaunt Company tomato farm. It was hurriedly pressed into service by postmaster Sidney Brown after a disastrous night fire in 1953 burned Ochopee’s...
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Food

June 17, 2013

Sauces from the Seventies   These recipes appeared in Better Homes and Gardens, in June of 1974, and someone saved them, so that I could share them with you! I really do not know any contemporary cooks, who make such sauces, but it might be fun to try an Avocado Mushroom Velvet, though canned...
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In the Garden

June 12, 2013

Plumeria “The desert and the parched land will be glad; the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.  Like the crocus, it will burst into bloom; it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.  The glory of Lebanon will be given to it, the splendor of Carmel and Sharon; they will see the glory of the...
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A View from the Road

June 9, 2013

Beachcombing     Walking on the beach, on a warm, breezy evening, I hoped for a find – I was thinking perhaps an interesting shell or piece of driftwood – instead, I found this bundle of floats, from what I presume must have been a fishing boat.   Their bright colors capture my attention, and...
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Art


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