So…what is the Monday Poll?
Well, it isn’t exactly a poll. It’s more of a constantly evolving (devolving?), somewhat random list of questions I’ve been putting out to readers every Monday morning for the past 10 (!) years. (It’s like a kickstart for your brain.) I’ve always enjoyed reading your answers in the comments, and I hope you enjoy reading mine.
Hi, babe. Super quick Monday Poll today because it’s Labor Day, and I don’t wanna be keeping you from getting your relaxing on!
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Iced tea, please, with lemon. No sugar.
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
I have! Mostly. His name was Socks, and he was black with white paws, a white chin, nose and a white chest.
I named him after the kitty in one of my favorite childhood novels by Beverly Cleary.
He was a sweet cat and very, very affectionate. I was a little kid at the time, and Socks was tiny. Whenever I’d go into the back yard, he would always weave between my legs.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
LOL! Don’t laugh, but it was the Trader Joe’s Fearless Flyer. (Of course it was.) But seriously, the writing in those things is so clever!
Like, “No need to blink, pinch yourself, or shake your head vigorously like a cartoon character. That price you see, $5.99 for 13 roses, is a real price, available right now at a real Trader Joe’s store.” 🙂
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
Winged liner, fo’ sho’.
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
El Hub. He could drive, and I would backseat drive, haha! No, really, he’s fun on road trips. Years ago we drove from Miami down to the Florida Keys and talked, listened to the radio and sang the entire time. It was a blast!
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
P.S. Here are the question to copy and paste…
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
P.P.S. Have a great day, babe.
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Iced coffee!
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
Nope, I’ve had a seal point and a blue point siamese.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
I’m reading A Game of Thrones right now, I’ve seen the series and decided to get into the books. Usually I read chick lit which isn’t the most thought provoking genre most of the time.
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
Why not both?
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
Right now? My two best friends who live on opposite sides of the country (and I live in the middle).
Hi Breyerchic,
I started reading the first book in the series on a plane a few years ago and kinda forgot to finish it. Whoops! What part of the story are you on?
Hope you’re enjoying the long weekend.
Happy Monday, Karen!
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Iced tea for sure, but I’d prefer hot tea, even on hot days! I drink copious amounts of tea each day…
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
No, but I grew up with a black dog named Fonzi. I was convinced I’d never get a prom date so I promised my dog he could be my prom date. Turns out I did get a human boy prom date but I still brought a picture of Fonzi with me in my purse.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
GURL. Currently reading Love Wins by Rob Bell. Every page is BLOWING MY MIND. I have to put it down periodically to digest and think a bit before I can go on.
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
Winged liner for the win! I recently bought my first pot and angled brush and I’m loving it! Not sure I’ll ever go back to a pencil or felt-tip liner again!
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
My sister. We live hundreds of miles away and I mourn for the relationship we used to have without the grown-up distractions of husbands, kids, jobs, etc.
Hi Jaclyn,
Putting that book on my to-read list right now!!! Thanks for the recommendation. I have one for you. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed.
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
I’ll take both or either, I prefer iced tea on the regular though.
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
Yes, her name was Puca. She was a mischevious but loving cat who stayed incredibly small her whole life. She wasn’t technically mine, she was my roomates but we picked her out together. She was the most hilarious cat. She would lay in water bowls submerged except with her eyes and nostrils out of the water like a croc or a hippo. She’d play with anything and everything, and she liked sleeping on top of the dying embers in the fireplace. I also swear she had the power of teleportation. My friend moved to the country and she ran away the first day (she was brought up indoors in the burbs for several years after being rescued from a shelter as a 6-week old kitten) and he didn’t see her again for three years. He saw her in the pond on his property once, crocodillin’ like the old days. He never saw her again and was never able to catch her.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
An article last night about the culinary feats of the Medici.
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
Winged liner all the way!
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
Not sure, but I’m in the mood for someone fun and interesting to come into my life and have a wild-ish adventure. Tina Fey? Aziz Ansari? I just need a little mad cap hilarity.
Hi Erin,
I’m sure Puca lived a long and wild life in the great outdoors. 🙂
Happy Labor Day. Here’s to hoping Houston sees dry ground soon – not to mention everyone in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Pakistan. Super bad floods there, too. These polls are such a welcome momentary break amid all the intensity.
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Iced coffee. Decaf with lavendar or vanilla and light ice.
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
We had a cow-cat with black and white bovine markings. Pops was his name. He was a super macho street cat who was incredibly affectionate with his family. He ruled the neighborhood before settling down with us. He was very regal and lived a long and happy life!
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
Well, I have a stack of 20 books on my desk to write abstracts on. The last one was “Revelatory Events” by Ann Taves (Princeton Univ Press, 2016). It’s a scholarly study of why and how people experience events they identify as divine revelations, and how these then become the basis of religious movements. It’s respectful, interesting, and engaging!
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
I love the idea of false lashes, but not the practical side of it! So, winged liner. 🙂
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
I’m with you – the hubs! He’s born for road trips and always does them “right” (unlike me, I’m more focused on just getting there, which is admittedly no fun!).
Hi Amy,
I’m glad you were able to take a break with me today. 🙂 Sometimes it’s just nice to sit for a second so you can appreciate small things.
P.S. I would’ve loved to have know your cat Pops. What a character!
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Iced tea! I hate coffee.
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
I have on right now, Jiji. He is very handsome even though he licks his fur off.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
I’ve been reading a lot of young adult stuff, LOL. Harry Potter?
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
Winged liner, obvs.
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
No one, I get really grumpy on road trips.
Girl, Harry Potter counts! 🙂
Oh, poor Jiji. Is he stressed out? Tabs goes through phases where he’s very enthusiastic about his grooming, and we have to be careful to make sure he’s not stressed in any way.
Jiji’s always been an anxious kittycat. It’s time for his yearly vet visit so I’ll see if we can do something to help.
Poor sweatpea kitty. I hope his visit goes smoothly! Last time Tabs went to the vet he escaped his cat carrier, then pooped all over El Hub and the car. Yeah, good times.
Happy Monday, Karen! I’ve been packing up my stuff to move into a house finally!
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Neither. I don’t really like tea or coffee.
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
I haven’t because my immediate family aren’t too fond of cats, but we have had black dogs which have just as hard of a time finding homes. We had a black lab Joseph and Zena – who is mostly black as you know.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
I’m currently reading (as I have the time) Namaslay by Candace Moore which is part memoir, part yoga. I’ve always loved her youtube tutorials, so her book has been thought provoking.
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
LINER! Girl, I am so bad with false lashes.
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
My aunt. She always can find the best things and is so much fun. (My dad always sucks the fun out of road tripping.)
Hi Kate,
Congrats on the move! When is the official move-in date?
We sign on the 15th, so hopefully right after. I’ll actually have my own office in this house, so that’s really nice. It used to be the formal dining room, but since we don’t do any formal dining, it’ll be my office. It has a tiny set of bay windows, pocket doors, chair rails and wainscoting and carpet…which I’m not thrilled with. I’ll have to live with it. LOL.
That’s cool! It’s wonderful to have you own space to work. Will you be living with your family?
Happy Wednesday! I’m going to take Connor out to library story time today.
Yep, still sticking with the parents and Zena. My unique combination of disabilities means they will never be rid of me. They just get to hear my lovely voice all day and all night, 365 days a year, unless they go on vacation to get away from my brand of crazy.
I hope you and Connor Claire have quality bonding time and fun at the library today! I always have loved going to the library! (This is probably why I have, uh, 14 boxes of books. >.>)
I think that’s wonderful that you live with your family. I miss my parents and wish I could see them every day. How is your brother doing? Is he still with you guys, too?
So, the library was fun. Connor got to listen to a few stories, sing songs and interact with some kids. She also played with a hula hoop for the first time, but I was kind of on edge because she’s very rambunctious, and I’m always afraid she’s going to knock another child over while she’s running around. I found out today that the max amount of books you can check out at our library is 50 books or magazines. FIFTY BOOKS! Glorious.
Oh no, my brother, my nephew and his girlfriend do not live with us! His girlfriend and I are on icy terms despite her joining the family next year. I think most people joining new families are scared of the mother-in-law; she’s more scared of me as we have personalities that don’t “sing” together. My brother is doing quite well since he got a job he likes.
That’s the maximum at our library too. Most times nobody ever checks out that amount. It’s great to have that capacity though if you go through a lot of children’s books though!
17 month olds are very rambunctious in general! T-Rex will be 3 in February and he is the same way. It’s okay to let them be rambunctious and crazy as long as they don’t throw things at other people, hit or show other generally unpleasant behavior. If they do naughty things like that, then do whatever you do for discipline, then release them to the masses again. Relax, talk to other moms, but watch her be silly. It’s harder than it sounds but you’ll get used to it.
1. Iced tea or iced coffee? Iced coffee!!! (Unless there’s iced masala chai around.)
2. Have you ever had a black cat? With the exception of one orange tabby and one tortoise shell kitty as a kid and one gray tabby after college, ALL my cats have been black. So yeah, 6 or 7 black cats.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read? Uhm… haven’t been reading much lately.
4. Winged liner or false lashes? Can’t do winged liner with droopy, hooded lids. Haven’t mustered the nerve to try false lashes.
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip? Dear Husband. Been on road trips with him before and would do it again. But to be honest, at this point, I’d rather do airplane trips to other destinations.
Has the heat abated up your way yet? It rained for a bit down this way.
Hi Tatiana,
You’re lucky to have assisted so many kitties. 🙂 How did you end up with so many black cats? Was it a coincidence?
Hope you’re having a wonderful Monday so far. It’s finally a little cooler here in the North Bay. Still hot, but at least the temps have decreased a good 10-15 degrees. It’s muggy and humid out, which makes me feel gross though, like I’m walking through an armpit. What have you been up to today?
Ugh, yeah, muggy down this way, too. And hazy with all the wildfire smoke. Went for a run at 9am and it was so gray it was like running at dusk. I ended up wheezing and didn’t have an inhaler with me.
Kitties, first black cat I remember was when I was 4 yrs. old. Then there was the one in jr. high or high school. Then the one I had in college with “that” boyfriend. Then another black one (along with the gray tabby) while living in NYC. Broke up with “that” guy and he got the cats, I got to move to CA. Then with Dear Husband there was Calcutta, and then Nora (who we still have) and Nibbler (who my daughter took with her when she moved to college and still has.) What can I say, I just gravitate towards black cats.
The air feels so thick up here, almost like you have to swim through it! I am counting down the seconds to cooler weather.
Totally understand how it is to feel a pull toward a certain cats. I think from this point out I’ll always have a soft spot for tabby boys. 🙂 Nibbler is such a cute name! I take it she (or he) is all about love bites?
Happy Tuesday!
I think part of it is that black cats tend to be the last ones to be adopted at shelters. I always want what no one else wants.
Yeah, Nibbler was named partly because when she wants attention she’ll come up and sort of nibble at your elbow and partly because of the alien character on Futurama, which she resembles, except for the the third eye on a stalk in the middle of the forehead.
Happy Monday Karen!! Hope you have a lovely week!
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Iced Coffee – Greek style. Otherwise iced tea.
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
Nope.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
Pearl Back’s Eastern-Western Wind
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
Don’t do falsies, so I’ll go with the Liner
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
My girlfriends, no one else like them !
Hi Eleni,
Ooh, I’m so curious! What does “Greek style” iced coffee taste like?
1. Iced tea or iced coffee? I’ve been on a major tea kick lately of all kinds, so I’m gonna have to go with tea for now. Try me again tomorrow. (:
2. Have you ever had a black cat? I’ve had about 7 million cats, but I really can’t remember having an all black cat. It’s a shame, too, because I love those little babies! They remind me of Toothless (How to Train Your Dragon)!
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read? Let me answer your question with a question: Is it bad that I can’t remember reading anything real thought-provoking lately? I’ve read plenty, sure! The last thing that I read had to do with “fake butt-crack jeans,” so….
4. Winged liner or false lashes? I love both and they each give me problems of their own, but I’ll go with winged liner. Never have to worry about a rogue cat eye like you do with falsies.
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip? Some old friends spend some time catching up.
So true about the false lashes, Lydia! I’ve had several bands go rouge on me at the most inopportune times, LOL!
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Iced tea! The coffee place near my house made a watermelon mint iced tea and I was afraid it’d taste like a Jolly Rancher, but it was so good!
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
Yes! My sweet baby Phoebe is a little black cat with a white spot on her chest and huge seafoam eyes!
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
Hmmm, I’m not sure? Probably some articles I’ve read recently in the New York Times, although that’s journalism instead of literature.
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
Neither? I wear both maybe 3-4 times a year! Maybe winged liner a little more than falsies, but both are pretty rare for me.
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
Ooh! My friends! We could go see some cool geologic sites!
Phoebe sounds like the cutest lil’ black cat! How old is she?
She’s about 6-6.5! We got her from a shelter five years ago. She’s pretty small for an adult cat though, and she still has kitten-y features (big ears, round head) so a lot of people think she’s a kitten when they see photos.
1. Iced tea or iced coffee? Tea
2. Have you ever had a black cat? Several
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read? My son and I have been reading some Edgar Allen Poe stories and poems together. We’ve been talking about their meaning, writing techniques, Poe’s life, etc. It’s always amazing to hear his excellent observations, and for me to pull out my rusty English degree and give him more detail.
4. Winged liner or false lashes? Winged liner
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip? My hubby
Hi Rachel,
That’s super cool. Does your son have a favorite Poe piece now? I’ve always liked The Cask of Amontillado.
The Tell-Tale Heart and the Raven.
Happy Tuesday – I hope you had a great Labor Day weekend! 🙂
1. Iced tea or iced coffee? Iced tea, the same as you, unsweetened with lemon. But only on a non-empty stomach. Otherwise tea makes me nauseous.
2. Have you ever had a black cat? Our neighbors had one that might as well have been ours when I was in my late teens. He was black with a bit of white and terribly named “Stinker”.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read? Probably Entertainment Weekly, I’m ashamed to admit. I haven’t been reading much lately. But the only thoughts it provoked were “how am I going to find time to see all these movies?!”. 🙂
4. Winged liner or false lashes? I’d like to TRY false lashes.
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip? I just went on a short (3ish hours), fun one with my friends in a big van. I’d do that again. The Hubs and one of the boys HATE to ride in the car so it’s less enjoyable to go with them. I love road trips!
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Iced coffee, with plenty of creamer. 🙂
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
We had several when I was growing up!
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
The Daily Skimm. 🙂
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
Winged liner is way easier for me!
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
My husband is the best company. 🙂
1. Iced tea or iced coffee? Neither, iced espresso, which I have nearly every weekday morning.
2. Have you ever had a black cat? Yes! His name was Blackie. Don’t judge me.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read? Hmmm. It’s been probably decades if I’m being honest. I did read a thought provoking nonfiction book called Cure by Jo Marchant. I recommend it if you’re curious about the mind’s ability to heal the body.
4. Winged liner or false lashes? Winged liner although I always want to wear falsies. But I can never get them to stay on my eyelids
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip? my girlfriends! I haven’t been on a girlfriend road trip in years and years and years.
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Iced coffee….I live for coffee!!!!
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
Actually I’ve had 3 –
Tulip was my sweet baby girl. I adopted her when she was 2 and she stuck to me like velcro. She went everywhere I went and would sit on my lap and purr.
Jazmine was my boyfriend’s cat who I adopted when he couldn’t have a cat at his apartment. I got Jazmine when she was 15 years old and she lived up to the ripe old age of 21. She was very sweet and would fiend over temptation cat treats.
Currently, I have Elvis who I adopted as a kitten. He just turned 1 and is a handful. He loves water and you can find him in the bathtub most of the time swatting the water bowl trying to get water out. He meows loudly when he can’t see me.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
Hmmm….does the newspaper count? I read the front page yesterday.
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
I’m not very good at either but if I had to pick I would go with winged liner
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
That’s a hard question. I would probably pick my friend David since he and I love to eat junk food although we get easily distracted and most likely take us forever to get anywhere.
Hi ! I love iced tea and I had a black cat in NYC named him Snickers after the candy bar. Would love to road trip with Melania Trump and my favorite lippie is Revlon’s Blushed. A dupe for many Tom Fords frosted ls. Xxx Nina
Hi Nina,
Snickers is such a cute name. Have a great day!
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Neither really appeals to me. I’d drink either water or soft drinks.
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
Yes, we had an all-black kitten born to our cat when I was a child in California. Perhaps he was a harbinger of bad luck, as we did end up (within a year) having to move to Texas. Kidding/not kidding.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
I’m reading Al Franken’s “Giant of the Senate.” Worthwhile for a look at what running for office is like in the US, and what the Senate is like now.
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
I should be wearing false lashes as chemo and age have done a number on my eyelashes.
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
Interesting question. Robert Redford, even at his great age, might make a good road trip companion. He certainly appreciates this country’s open spaces.
1. Iced tea or iced coffee?
Depends on the day and how much my insomnia is rearing her ugly head. I’m from Texas. Me not immediately saying Iced Tea might be taboo.
2. Have you ever had a black cat?
No. I’ve never had a cat. I’m more of a dog gal. (Gasp. I know. Please don’t bar me from your blog. It’s the only beauty blog I regularly read these days!)
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read?
I can’t even remember. I read to put myself to sleep at night. Not necessarily to stimulate my brain. This question makes me realize I should change some things.
4. Winged liner or false lashes?
Liner, but only rarely. I have lashes naturally that touch the bottom of my eyebrows, so false lashes scare the bejesus out of me. What if I get too much glue and rip out what I have naturally at the end of the day? What if I sneeze while the glue is still tacky and my bottom lashes get glued to my top? What if I’m speaking to someone and it falls off and sticks to my boob when I blink? These are the irrational and very strange things that concern me with false lashes.
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip?
Always my husband. A trip with just him sounds incredible right about now. Between work, school and us both coaching various sports for our children, I feel like one on one time is at a premium right now.
1. Iced tea or iced coffee? – Depends on my mood. 98% of the time, it’s iced coffee.
2. Have you ever had a black cat? – Yes, her name was Cleo and she lived to a ripe old age of 20. She was soooo sweet!
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read? – I’m currently reading a collection of short stories that all tie in with Outlander called Seven Stones to Stand or Fall. Can’t wait for the new season to start!
4. Winged liner or false lashes? – I have not mastered the lash game but my winged liner is improving on the daily!
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip? – My hubby, of course.
On my own comment: I meant Laziest cat (not “latest,” though probably he would have been chronically late, had he only a job to be on time for!
1. Iced tea or iced coffee? Coffee coffee coffees. And not a milkshake with caffeine (I’m looking at you , frapuccino!). Cold coffee, over ice, with cream.. Or a cold mocha, over ice cubes.
2. Have you ever had a black cat? Yes, our sweet baby baby baby. Miss him. Latest, dumbest, silliest, sweetest big baby ever.
3. What was the last piece of thought-provoking literature you read? Gees, I’m sure it was something, and I loved it while I read it, but cannot at all remember what it was. Oops.
4. Winged liner or false lashes? WINGEEDDD!!!
5. With whom would you like to go on a road trip? Oh, my awesome husband, every time. I love for road trips with him. Best long haul driver ever. Love the bonding we do on road trips!