At one point, I had thought about doing a blog on parenting, being a dad, etc. I envisioned someone Googling “How to be a better dad” and seeing my site “DadMustard” pop up on the top of the list. (My brother-in-law said, “huh, I never would have thought of someone doing that.” Needless to say, I wasn’t terribly encouraged!) I had this concept that I would write music – focusing on things I want my kids to learn or know – and then I would create questions to go along with the music. Questions that dads could ask their kids.

Of course, having worked in marketing, I wanted to do a little market analysis (ha! big mistake). So I sent my first song off to some friends and family members with the little review worksheet. I think only one of them actually tried to do what I asked (thanks Bill G.). Needless to say, I became a little frustrated and went on with life.

I haven’t really given up on the idea that I need to make the most of my time with the kids, though. Lots to teach while I got them.

Now, years later, I may not be trying to “market” that particular concept, but – even with the less-than-perfect sound of the recording – I still like what the song says to my kids, to my wife, to anyone I love.

Maybe it will speak to you. Originally, I called it The First Thing because it talks about the first thing I want my kids to know. A good friend suggested You Make My Heart Smile would be a better title. He’s probably right (Gregg usually is). So, here is You Make My Heart Smile.

It’s the first thing I recorded with my home studio gear years ago (ha! maybe that’s what the title really means) – so definitely not perfect. But I’ve given up on being perfect anymore.

In that spirit, I’ll even link here to some of the questions I had prepared for that song. At a minimum, it might make you ask whether you need to tell your kids how much you love them and how important they are to your life. Your time is limited. Make the best of it.

2 Comments »

I’m feeling like I may be ready again. Ready to write here. I had taken time – a lot of time. I’ve journaled in the privacy of my own home, on actual paper, and worked through many things. Now, I may be back.

I’ve known about Hugh Macleod for years. Thomas at Vendorprisey hipped me to him long ago. However, I never took the time to read one of his most popular posts, entitled, “How to be creative.”

I’m going to work through that a bit. I like a lot of what he has to say (as if he could care). One of the things he says is “blog.” Well, I’ve blogged. I’ve blogged for work, and I’ve blogged for personal reasons, but I feel I haven’t achieved that level of simply blogging to share what I create.

If I continue here, as I feel I will, it will be to blog about what I create. I’ll probably open up some new areas that I haven’t yet shared, and just get some things out there. I’ll probably close down a couple categories on this site that were good ideas, but not necessarily areas about which I ever created much content. I may add a new category. A new section to the site.

If you’ve been here for a while, thanks for sticking with me. I hope you enjoy where I take this.

4 Comments »