Immodest Mouse

If you just tuned in, those are my sons. They’re homeschooled.

It’s very important that the viewer understand that I’m their music teacher, but I had absofarginlutely  nothing to do with the production of this video. I did not teach them any part of this song. I was not present when it was chosen, or arranged, or overdubbed, or mixed, or compiled, or uploaded. They did it all themselves yesterday afternoon. I saw it in the same manner that you did — finished product. I’m told that the parts they played together were done in one take.

The older one is seventeen. I have been harsh with him in the past. Brusque. Demanding. He is very even-tempered, or more likely, has learned to project even-temperament, which is better and the same thing at the same time. I can’t remember the last time I raised my voice to him, or that he required any form of external discipline from me. The little one is only nine, and could wear out a stone with his relentless nature, but you can never be angry with him, because he seems incapable of malice of any kind.

If I had one wish, I know what it would be. I’m not a beauty pageant contestant, so whirled peas isn’t on my list, never mind near the top of it. Let the world sort out its own problems; I’ve got my own. Here’s my one wish: I wish I’d never raised my voice, even once, to those little children, or their mother. There had to be a better way.

I can still die a happy, if defective, man, though. If the approach was not perfect, you can at least see perfection from the top floor window of our house.

(Update: Thanks to Kathleen from CT for your continuing generosity! And many thanks go out to jolie Julie, too!)

(Higher-Update: Melissa K’s continuing generosity is marvelous. Many thanks!)

(Still Further Update: Thanks, Lorraine; you’re a peach)