Gail Ingis's Blog, page 16

MIDNIGHT and MELBOURNE

Sleep always feel more important in the morning

What do you do at 3:00 a.m.? Shhh, someone might be asleep, not us. We set our alarm and were up to watch tennis, the 2017 Australian Open in Melbourne. We didn’t want to miss one stroke, from 3:30 a.m. to  9:00 a.m–for two weeks. And that was after watching from 9:00 p.m. to sometimes 1:00 a.m.

As the tournament was reaching its climax, it got more difficult to stay awake. So, we had a meeting of the minds, and decided that going to bed around 8:00 p.m. was at least a way to get in a couple more hours of sleep. When it was all over we had to come down from that high watching our favorites win. And get some sleep!

Serena William’s 23rd Tennis Grand Slam

 

 

 

 

“There was a great deal at stake for Serena Williams in the Australian Open final, far more than having to push aside her older sister” said USA Today journalist Sandra Harwitt. “For Serena, the 6-4, 6-4 win Saturday to hoist the Australian Open trophy for a seventh time establishes a record. At 35, she is the only player–man or woman–to win 23 Grand Slam tournament singles titles in the open era.”

Venus & Serena Williams sisters

Serena is thrilled. She said she feels like she has been chasing it for a long time. Once it got on her radar, she knew the possibilities. She finally succeeded at the Australian Open this year.

Roger Federer

Rising to the top is tough, but the journey leads to a joyous finale. Experiencing the win gave Roger his 18th Grand Slam. I love what Sandra Harwitt, USA Today journalist said, “So when experiencing a great victory, a champion tries to store the grand achievement, in slow motion, in his memory bank.

Roger

Nadal & Federer

At least that is how Roger Federer, 35, suggests he handles the milestones of his life, including his latest successful quest of glory — 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 win Sunday against Rafael Nadal, 30, his oldest rival in the game, in the final of the Australian Open.”

Rafael Nadal & Rod Laver. The stadium was named after Laver

 

 

 

 

 

Tops in tennis. How many faces can you name?

Tennis–one of my successful careers as a teaching pro, and member of the USPTA. FYI, in order to be a USPTA member, you have to pass a written and on-court exam. A member of the organization for forty years, they have awarded me lifetime membership. This watercolor was commissioned for their 75th anniversary in 2002. The painting is in Houston, TX at their national headquarters. Players in the painting are Jimmy Connors, Chrissy Everett, Jack Kramer, Roscoe Tanner, Billy Jean King, Pam Shriver, John McEnroe, Peter Fleming, Arthur Ashe, Fred Perry, Rod Laver, Althea Gibson, Stan Smith.

USPTA Watercolor

 

 

 

 

 

 

UNDETECTABLE AGING

 

 

I aced my stress test yesterday. That means I can dance my heart out. That’s not what this post is about. Today’s writing addresses the question many have asked, “What do I do for my complexion?” I am not an expert, except I’ve been taking care of my skin for lots, and lots, and lots of years. It took a long time, but I think I finally figured out how to protect, smooth and give my dry, aging skin a glow. It’s my pleasure to share the process. Here’s the scoop:

Do not use a product with fragrance, ever,

Face: Never use soap on your face. Only use face wash, warm water, use your hands to foam up and clean, rinse off, pat dry. Products: Clarins Gentle Foaming Cleanser, Clinque has one too. As long as they are gentle, it will be fine. Facial scrubs are important, maybe once a week. Mary Kay’s is good, they have one for the hands too. I’m not raving though. I haven’t seen any difference, except it does get rid of dead skin. I do my arms too. The scrub prepares the skin to accept creams.

Dr. DennisGross Universal Daily peel

Face Peel, this one recommends everyday. I don’t use it everyday, but you can decide what works for you. Tom has used it too. Follow directions. It’s 2 Steps, Dr Dennis Gross skincare, original formula Alpha Beta Daily Face Peel, now known as Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel – Dr. Dennis Gross Skin (Sephora $16 for 5 packs). You save some money if you buy 30 packs or more. Check it out with this link above.

Lancome Renergie Lift Multiaction Night

Night treatment: Lancôme Night cream (expensive, but works well) I also use it on my arms, legs and feet.

 

 

Capture Totale La Creme Multi Perfection Day or night or both

 

 

Day treatment: Dior Capture Totale La Creme Multi Protection and Capture Totale Dream Skin (expensive, but magical),

Dior Capture Totale Dream Skin day and night treatment

It’s up to you to play around. Nothing is as good as surgery, Botox and filler, but these creams can be a practical substitute.

Buy any of these products at your local department store, or Sephora, or online.

What do you think? You probably know that any of the stores that sell these products will advise you, maybe even give you samples. I recently refound Mary Kay. They give samples. I have a terrific young sales woman, Rachel Powers, who believes in the product. She will come to your home and demonstrate and give samples. Their eye cream is quite good. I have trouble though with all eye creams. It sneaks into my eyes and blurs my vision. Even if I don’t touch my eyes, those creams seems to bother me. I have tried other eye creams as well, it doesn’t seems to matter. So I am not using them at the moment. Keeping wrinkles at bay is a good idea. Once they come and are deep, it’s hard to smooth them out. Your routine is important.

I currently use all the products here and find them to be amazing.

Please, let me know what you think and if you have any questions about my progress and thoughts.

Renaissance Revival: The Racquet and Tennis Club NYC

1918 Racquest and Tennis Club NYC

Tennis on my mind. The Australian Open begins the tennis season in January in a summer place, while we have snow and ice surrounds here in the Northeast. I’ve been involved with tennis since 1973, so I’ve seen it have those swings, pardon the pun, from hot to cold, and I’m not talking about temperature. Tennis courts so busy, you couldn’t find one to play on, to so many courts and no one interested to play. This has come full circle. Tennis is in again. Play tennis . . . a great exercise and mind challenging game. In 1918, NYC’s Racquet and Tennis club, designed by McKim, Mead and White, very much the palace style of architecture,

Racquet and Tennis club 370 Park Avenue, NYC-

Renaissance Revival. A popular style in the late 19th and early 20th century.

Italian Renaissance Revival

Identifiable Features

Low-pitched hipped or flat roof.
Symmetrical facade.
Masonry construction.
Impressive size and scale.
Round arch entrance and windows.
Classical details: columns, pilasters.
Roof line parapet or balustrade.
Arcaded and rusticated ground level.

Details

Surprised me, I have never visited this beautiful club in NYC. After all, I’m a certified USPTA tennis teaching pro, and have played tennis in most states, and in London, and Bangladesh. And I taught History of Architecture at the university level. I wonder how many pros have been there?

On the fourth and fifth floors what is really special about the Racquet Club is on display. On the south end are two court tennis courts, something like indoor tennis courts but with some odd angles and sloping walls. Court tennis involves rebounds off all four walls, changing boundaries, second chances and other arcane rules more like chess than regular tennis.A link from Google Maps for your perusal. The roof is glass: http://bit.ly/2j9Zy0p,

The interior contained three dining rooms, a billiard room, library, lounge, gymnasium, four squash courts, two court tennis (real tennis) courts, and two racquets courts. Today, there are four International squash courts, one North American doubles squash court, one racquets court, and the two court (real) tennis courts.

On July 13, 1983, the building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

The club sold its air rights on Park Avenue to a developer a number of decades ago, resulting in the unusual sight, for New York, of a glass-clad skyscraper rising in the middle of the block, immediately behind the club.

If it interests you to know details, Wikipedia has a handle on them.

Racquet and Tennis Club – Wikipedia

Looks like a fun place. What do you think?

CHARACTER DRIVEN

Adam&Eve Shamed by Michael, the Angel illustration by Gail Ingis in “Seeking Paradise” by Deborah Galiley

Ever think about how the Bible is written? Is it character driven? What does it mean to be character driven? Well, if you know Michael Hague’s HERO’S JOURNEY (example: Finding Nemo),

Father Finding Nemo

you know about character driven. You must choose when writing fiction, especially romance. You must have a main character, maybe two, with secondary characters.

So how do you choose one or two characters in the Bible with so many to choose from. Adam and Eve and their kids? Imagine what drove them and how it all turned out. Who are those two brothers? Cain and Abel. A story could be written about either one, and the emotions that drove them. Imagine hating your brother so much that you dispose of him. In the days of the great sacrifice, Abel was the keeper of the flocks and Cain the tiller of the ground.

Cain & Abel offerings

Cain’s offering to the Lord was the fruit of the ground, but the Lord had greater regard for Abel’s offering of the firstlings of his flock and their fat portions and no regard for Cain’s offering. Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. The Lord asked Cain, “Why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, it shall be lifted up.” A bloodless offering was perfectly acceptable, but it was Cain’s attitude of unbelief and his denial of the murder of his brother that displeased the Lord.

Genesis 4:9 And the LORD said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother? And he said I know not, Am I my brother’s keeper? (A blatant lie, did Cain think he could hide from the Lord?)

What did Cain gain by getting rid of his brother? In the end, the Lord banished him, the murder was pervasive, horror followed him everywhere. He was a broken man. If you are broken, everything and everyone will be broken.

Who are your characters? What drives them?  Pretty big story, this Cain and Abel. Can you begin to piece it all together and see what some of the details of Cain’s life might have been? There was no HEA in his life. Did he change as a result of this tragedy? I can’t find anything in the Bible to say that he did. Cain had no Lord in his life, but he did have tragedy, and lots and lots and lots of children.

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ARIZONA CHRISTMAS

Pirate watching over the undersea scene

Cold Arizona sparkled with lights, poinsettia trees and blazing sunsets. We were prepared with warm clothes, warm greetings and family hugs.

Arizona’;s JW Marriott’s Desert Ridge Resort & Spa underwater scene celebrate the holidays with a theme made hundreds of pounds of glistening gumdrops, chocolate, sugary icing and tons of gingerbread dough brought a parade of onlookers, and us! Met the main chef who explained they began this tedious work months ago, and took about three months to assemble. The pastry team, consisting of 10 pastry chefs, spent more than 400 hours crafting this year’s beautiful theme.

Super Chef

 

 

 

 

 

 

Santa Claus’s mailbox

The weatherman is calling for chilling temperature tonight here at home finally, after this warm weather we have had since our return from cold Arizona.

In spite of the weather, family warmed up our visit. It was great seeing our kids and other relatives. We were busy with sites and sounds of the holidays in Phoenix and Scottsdale. The lights sparkled, and the poinsettia trees are gorgeous.

ROMANCE 2017 HAPPY NEW YEAR!

One horse open sleigh-so romantic!

My post today is about writing my romance novel, INDIGO SKY and am giving away two copies of my eBook to random commenters, so please join in and add to the conversation! Happy New Year, 2017.

Indigo Sky book cover

Reviewers say, “Indigo Sky has all the parts that readers crave. The suspense, love, romance, betrayal, strength and loyalty are just a few words to describe Indigo Sky! Easy read that is difficult to let go!! I loved it and can’t wait for Gail Ingis to write another!! Don’t miss it! It kept me reading deep into the night.

 

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Dreamy

Like other writers, I have many books about writing I hold in great esteem. Donald Maas, Michael Hauge, Stephen King’s about writing and countless others, as well as advice and encouragement from my South African editor, to whom I am grateful. They have all been valuable in my growth and craft. I ravish my books, wear them out, they have liberated my passions. I still refer to the books, but I pick and choose. The best part of writing is how my characters surprise me. I’ve plotted, but the plot changes as I write, so I don’t bother to plot anymore. I give myself the freedom to plot, not plot, as long as I write, the rest falls into place.

Romance novels, in the past, were thought of as simple, silly and smutty. Sure, some do have the normal part of loving and intimacy, but many do not go past that closed door. Intimacy is inferred or suggested. It’s good to let the reader imagine. Most folks think that the characters in these novels are about fantasy and are perfect people. Nothing could be further from the truth. The characters are real people solving challenges in a relationship. We identify with how they solve the issues and transform in order to grow and mature.

When coming to an impasse in the story, when all seems lost, no turning back, gone forever, it’s magical to see all that turned around. We all know the ending, but romance novels tell us the process, how it’s possible to grow a relationship from failure to success. True love is possible; true love is a reality; true love is beautiful. True love is not a destination, it’s something you do everyday.

We hope as writers, that we enrich readers’ lives, and provide life lessons about love, marriage, intimacy, give and take, communication, and interrelationships with friends and family as well.

Enjoy this excerpt at the mansion of Alexander Majors, a friend of Rork’s, when Rork leaves town after a romantic evening with Leila, to give her time to think. Leila is having a conversation with Alexander. She is frantic that Rork left:

“I know,” Leila mumbled, “but why do I feel so guilty?”

He leaned forward. “Leila, your whole life you’ve been told the fault lies with you if you fail. I have a rather liberal way of thinking when it comes to how children should be reared.” He sat back and stared into the distance. “Which is one of the reasons I never married. I think I realized my methods would have made life difficult.”

Leila stared at him and whispered, “What are your methods?”

“Simple, don’t conform mindlessly, ever.”

“But one has to get on with society or you’d be an outcast.”

“Not at all. You see, you assumed I meant conform to the social dictates of dress and manners. I would teach a child to be discerning. Your mother doubtless told you to obey your father no matter what he demanded or how he treated you. The same applied to the man you marry. Then you took the unthinkable step of wanting a divorce. That was good.”

“Not according to my parents. They told me it was up to me to make it work.”

“Exactly. They taught you to be responsible for the success or failure of the marriage.” He sat back and smiled. “You perpetuate this ridiculous state by saying Hank’s death is your fault.”

“You don’t understand, Alex. Speaking to Hank when he was drunk or hallucinating only incurred his wrath. I should have chosen the time to tell him more carefully.”

“Why should you be responsible for choosing the right moment? The man was intoxicated most of the time.”

“I suppose.”

“So what are you going to do about Rork?”

Leila shrugged. “If he is going west, he’ll probably go to Atchison to get the coach.” She moved the silver spoon around the soup. She jumped to her feet, dropping the spoon and spilling chowder on the lace tablecloth. “I’ll follow him!”

“Good girl. Now sit and finish your soup while we discuss your plan of action.”

Buoyed by her decision, she sat and ate. “I might not find him, of course.”

Alex buttered a thick slice of bread. “Yes, you will. He’ll have to find a stagecoach willing to let him join them.” He chuckled. “It isn’t like boarding the next train to New York. If not, he’ll have to purchase his own wagon with a team of horses and a driver. He’ll need supplies. He’ll definitely not be leaving in a hurry. ***

Tell all, what’s your romantic experience?

FELIZ NAVIDAD

Jose & Gail

Did I ever dream to meet the man? All those years listening to him sing. Oh, that voice . . .

When Jose Feliciano sings, he reaches the heart. Mine sings at his sounds.

Last Monday, Tom and I heard him sing at the BB King Club in NYC. Hearing this voice live was a treasure and meeting him and his family, what a treat.

Everyone loves his Feliz Navidad, you should have heard the standing ovation at the club. Have you ever wanted to know about him?

Born in 1945 in Puerto Rico, moved to NY when he was five. Seems congenital glaucoma caused his blindness at birth. After first playing the accordion, his father gave him his first guitar. Watching him move his fingers and his method of finger picking, it was obvious to me that Andres Segovia inspired him. He played his guitar in his room for up to 14 hours a day, listening to rock, classical and jazz. Then he studied classical with Harold Morris, who had been a student of Segovia. Feliciano, in an 1969 interview, he mentioned Ray Charles, who was an influence on his singing.

With this Wikipedia link, you can read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Feliciano

Each year, during the Christmas season, “Feliz Navidad” returns to the airwaves as one of the most-played and most-downloaded songs of the season. “Feliz Navidad” is also recognized by ASCAP as one of the 25 all-time most-played Christmas songs in the world. It is in the Grammy Hall of Fame.

Link to Feliz Navidad: http://bit.ly/2hx9RuK 

Tom and I, guests of Jose Feliciano and his family, got to see him, hear him, shake his hand, and take pictures with him. I love Jose Feliciano’s music.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL MY FRIENDS, FAMILY AND COLLEAGUES . . .

Tom, Jose, Gail

THE JACKET

Wearing the jacket

Dazzled from the start. I had to own this jacket. The only one in the store, none online, only size left, large. Too big, but it didn’t matter. I was going to own this jacket. Did you know that bling makes people smile? Not only could others enjoy the sparkle, but I could too, even though I was wearing it. The entire garment was covered with bling, the front, back, and sleeves. Couldn’t miss the sparkle. The large size worked out. it’s a jacket after all, so you can belt it, tie it like I did, or just leave open. I removed the shoulder pads, so I wouldn’t look like a football player. This jacket had a lining, a workable zipper, looked like construction was done the way a jacket from a good store would be proud to sell. Right?

The time came to wear the jacket, last Saturday, for a dance where we take lessons, Fred Astaire Southport Ballroom. I happened to notice the trail of bling as I walked, It began in my house, spread to my car, into the ballroom, like a huge bling blanket. My shoes were slathered in bling. Tom was too. The ballroom floor never sparkled before; it was beautiful. I began to wonder if I was breathing bling. Here it is Wednesday and I’m still breathing alright, so as far as I can tell, I didn’t ingest any of the shiny stuff.

Anxious to fix the flaky problem, the next morning, the first thing I did was take the jacket outside, shake it, brush it, beat it. All I accomplished was to beat bling all over the slate stoop. We have had rain and wind, but the bling remains stuck to my stoop. One more attempt to tame the bling. I hand washed the jacket in cold water, no soap. I wrung it out as best I could and hung it in the shower. My hands were full of bling, so was the sink, the shower and the hanger.

The Jacket, now limp from washing. Bling falls off as you look at it.

Give it up, I told myself. I placed my gorgeous blingy jacket in a huge art bag and took it back to the store, right to the manager. She was more than happy to give back my money, but she said to please leave the jacket in the bag, she didn’t want the bling all over the floor. I asked if she thought that her high quality store should sell a garment that sheds. She said, “ Of course. We sell millions of these.”

Do you have any fashion disaster stories?

Tweedledum and Tweedledee

“Tweedledum and Tweedledee”


Roud #19800



John Tenniel’s illustration, from Through the Looking-Glass (1871), chapter 4



Song


Written
England


Published
1805


Form
Nursery rhyme


Writer(s)
Traditional


Language
English

Tweedledum and Tweedledee are fictional characters in an English nursery rhyme and in Lewis Carroll‘s Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There.The names have since become synonymous in western popular culture slang for any two people who look and act in identical ways, generally in a derogatory context.

A phrase called up in my head for strange goings on in life. Today’s blog brought those names up because all that’s been going on these last two weeks, things of Christmas and things not of Christmas. Travels to New Jersey. Visits with family, stories between us and the big cookie exchange. My daughter-in-law and family baked 13 dozen thumbprint cookies and gave them away. These pictures are the end result.  Tom said they actually baked 15 dozen. Two stayed in the house and all the tweedles ate them. Not me. I was at my daughter’s.

During all this my daughter had shoulder surgery. My job, daughter to surgery and daughter home from surgery. Hang out with her during her recuperation. It’s almost two weeks, and healing is apparent. Smart doctor who  prescribed cookies with meds.

Family favorite Thumbprint Cookies (Recipe below)

Nothing like a cookie to make life joyous, especially at Christmas time.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cookie tray Thumbprint cookies & Meringue cookies

 

 

Thumbprint Cookies: Gail Ingis’s recipe

½ pound butter (2 sticks) or 1 cup Crisco

2 egg yolks

½ cup brown sugar

2 cups flour

½ teaspoon salt

1teaspoon vanilla

1 bag of walnut meal (at Trader Joe’s) or ground walnuts

Mix ingredients (EXCEPT THE EGG WHITE)

Roll into approximately ½” balls then roll into the walnuts, place on cookie sheet. Bake in preheated oven 375 degrees for 2 minutes, depress center with thumb, then finish baking approximately 12 minutes for larger cookie or 5-8 minutes for smaller cookie. If you like crispy, bake until edges are slightly browned. When cool, fill depressed center with combination of slightly warm water, vegetable food coloring and confectioners sugar to an almost pasty consistency. (Color for holidays if desired)

Tweedledee and Tweedledum Through the Looking-Glass (1871).

Common versions of the nursery rhyme include:

Tweedledum and Tweedledee
    Agreed to have a battle;
For Tweedledum said Tweedledee
    Had spoiled his nice new rattle.


Just then flew down a monstrous crow,
    As black as a tar-barrel;
Which frightened both the heroes so,
    They quite forgot their quarrel.

Aren’t Tweedledum and Tweedledee cute? What do those names bring up for you?

Blurb for Indigo Sky:

Indigo Sky in 3 formats: Print, eBook, Audio

 

by Gail Ingis, Author and Visual Artist

INDIGO SKY | “A Triumphant Tale of Courage.” Get this one!” 5-Star-Buy link: http://amzn.to/29NYE5w,

THE AGONY & THE ECSTASY

A pun on Michaelangelo’s sculpture

Pain and pleasure. Entrepreneurs find out the hard way about earning a living. If you have a job, keep it until your dream comes to fruition. For me, I have had both success and failure, (pain and pleasure). My most successful endeavor provided ultimate satisfaction, the founding of my school, Interior Design Institute. I was degreed and well-studied in interior design and architecture, and after  research (before social media), I discovered there was a resounding response to founding a local school of Interior design. I had no capital, but two of my client friends provided a building in Woodcliff, NJ. All I had to do was fix it up, get the state to approve and run an inexpensive ad. Instant success . . . with enrollment, financial success followed later. This was not a get-rich quick scheme. Prospective students signed up and more came. My faculty came from New York and New Jersey. Of course I taught classes as well. Love teaching! The school, after much hard work and dedication was nationally accredited. What I loved about the whole idea was the opportunity offered to a community of students who were thrilled not to have to commute into NYC. The structure of the courses offered professional opportunities upon graduation, or for those who were not seeking a career, to redesign or decorate their own environments.

Businesses owned by entrepreneurs

So, what brought up this whole thing about starting a business?

Once again, I am an entrepreneur, this time though, I am an author. Honestly, I cannot believe that I’m working so hard on promoting my book, Indigo Sky. After having been in business and familiar with marketing and promo, I thought no more, I don’t want to to that anymore. But I have this book that no one seems to know about. A few read it and gave it resounding reviews. Maybe my book is good after all? I need to let readers know that it exists. One year after its release, I decided to run a promotion. Don’t ask, putting the promo together consumed me. I had looked for someone to do all the work, yeah right, no one available, not even for money, So I donned my marketing hat and knuckled down, asked questions, got answers, and offered my book free to several promo companies. The first day of the promotion, Friday, October 28, 2016, the book ranked #15 in Amazon’s top 100 free Historical Fiction.

Indigo Sky in 3 formats

 

Where is my book today? It is lagging in numbers. I was told that all authors have to keep promoting, as in any business. Look at companies like Apple, Bloomingdale’s, Samsung, all the same. Ads, ads, ads in your face. Books are no different, authoring is a business, so I am doing another promotion this week, Thursday, 12/1, Friday, 12/2, and Saturday, 12/3 with ChoosyBookworm. If you are reading this, and let me know that you purchased my book, sign up here on my blog and your name will go into a drawing for a free Indigo Sky audio, or if you are already signed up, then send me an email at gail.ingis@gmail.com.  This offer is good through Monday, December 5, 2016, midnight. Buy Link: http://amzn.to/29NYE5w

Face of an entrepreneur

An entrepreneur, as described by the Small Business Association, puts together a business and sometimes accepts the associated risk to make a profit. Most believe making their idea, their dream available to the world is something everyone wants. While this definition serves as a simple but accurate description of entrepreneurs, it cannot explain the phenomena of entrepreneurship itself. A number of theories exist, but all of them fall into various categories.

What Are the Theories of Entrepreneurship? An interesting article by Eric Dontigney