In a Nutshell | A little closer thanks to tech Brian Thompson It sounded like someone playing the bagpipes on a cat. Out of tune and out of time. Discordant. I looked up the definition of “discordant.” It said sounds that are “harsh and jarring because of a lack of harmony; i.e., playing the bagpipes on a cat.” The melodious mess emanating from my computer speakers took place on Christmas Eve. Across Zoom. A family stretched through three states – Florida, Virginia and New York – all gathering together to sing – for the sake of the story, we shall call it “singing” – Christmas carols.