every man that would have peace, must be content to let the world go on in its folly

precocial

Judging by the overblown prose I see on Facebook these days, a remarkable percentage of my friends' children are blessed with precocial intellectual and social abilities. There truly must be something in the water.

scurrilous

When those two get together, it's best to cover your ears, because the conversation can become scurrilous rather quickly.

muzzy

This was a very muzzy afternoon; my throat was sore and my head throbbed, and I could hardly wait to leave the office and come home to bed.

recalcitrant

If the worst thing you ever said about me was that I'm recalcitrant, I'd be grateful and pleased.

brummagem

Curious to see what a brummagem I'll receive as a holiday "gift" from the Head Banana this year--it will be hard to beat last year's soil.

---

1. The Summer Olympics [occurred recently]...did you watch? If you could see just one event in person which one would you pick?
   I watched far more than I'd expected, but only in the company of others. I'd love to see world-class table tennis; the difference between that and "ping pong" is phenomenal.
2. Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?
   "lazy" days are neither of those things, but rather regenerative and absolutely vital to the continuation of the overall project
3. July 25 is 'officially' Threading the Needle day...can you sew? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being not at all and 10 being Betsy Ross-like, how would you rate your skill with a needle and thread?
   5: ugly, but effective
4. Threading the Needle can also mean to walk a fine line between two things or issues (think awkward social situation). When was the last time you had to 'thread the needle', figuratively speaking?
   this happens approximately twice a day everydamnedday at work. I wish I were kidding.
5. Kidney, pinto, black, or navy--your favorite bean?
   jelly! No, seriously, probably navy. I haven't had really good ham-and-bean soup since my former spouse used to make it, and his was based on what we'd get at Afternoon Delight in A2. I miss that place so much.
6. Have you ever hosted a garage sale? Was it more success or bust?
   I think I've been roped into working at a couple of them, but I've never had a positive experience and never made any money at it. I know some people who love both sides of that transaction, though, so I wouldn't cast aspersions on it if I were you. Just sayin'.
7. What makes you roll your eyes?
   one of my good friends is in lurrrve rather suddenly and totally ass over teakettle. It's really adorable and sweet...except when it's enough to gag a bug.
8. Insert your own random thought here.
   I am now totally addicted to this game. You're welcome.

[from The Cat, who got it here; the title quotation is by William Benton (W.B.) Clulow, from Aphorisms and Reflections: A Miscellany of Thought and Opinion: 'On Happiness']