Be Prepared

In my life I’ve always been told to be prepared. I’m thinking about this now especially with wildfires in our area. I don’t remember if my folks instilled this in me, but I definitely got it from being in the Boy Scouts with their motto of “Be Prepared”.  As a result I’ve often taken this to heart in an obsessive manner. This isn’t all bad in that it’s allowed me get out of trouble and to help others when they’ve needed assistance. I know that obsession can be taken too far, but a little of that along with compartmentalization can also be a good way to cope when you get overwhelmed. At the best it becomes a way to avoid worrying because you’ve already planned ahead and have contingencies for different scenarios. I tend to live my life this way. I really like to be carefree, and thinking ahead and having a few tools at hand makes this easier. Many times my preparedness has been in reaction to a fix I’ve put myself in or have read about. When I read about a family who got in trouble in the mountains of California in the winter several years ago it made me create emergency bags for our vehicles. When I’ve realized I didn’t have a spare cord handy when one failed on me at a gig I made a bag with spare gear. When I realized I was often forgetting things I needed on a trip or on the go I created lists for different occasions that I could keep handy and modify as needed. I even have bags with what I need for different situations ready to go for many. All these things were on that fine line between obsession and normalcy. I must admit I also have kind of a gear fetish where I appreciate things that are useful and well-designed for their purpose. There is also that fidget factor that’s fun in some items. But back to the main topic, being prepared is usually a good thing. Would I love to be in a life where I never had to be prepared? You bet I would! But I’ve learned to have a peaceful life by being prepped as much as I can, and I like that too!

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What have I been up to?

I had 14 senior facilities last week, and the one that had been isolating their residents with a respiratory breakout was able to have activities again. I mostly played Irish songs with St. Patrick’s Day and beyond. It was a fine week of tunes with a lot of joy and participation.

My Wednesday online show was doing spring songs, and it was a wonderful night celebrating the change of seasons with lots of good folks tuning in. I love playing these online shows.

My Sunday online show was playing favorites and requests, and there were some really good ones. It’s always a mix of old and new, and everyone seemed to have a fine time.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’ll be mostly playing spring songs to put everyone in the wonder of this season as everything greens up again and the cycle starts once again. It’s an uplifting time of year.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be playing songs from CCR - Creedence Clearwater Revival. I am surprised I haven’t done a night of their songs before. John Fogerty has been touring with his sons in his band lately playing many CCR songs on the road, and he has also recently recorded his own versions of some of these classics. It’s inspiring to see him still playing almost 60 years later, and he sounds great! Come on out and celebrate him and CCR.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as usual, and these show are always exciting with great folks and great tunes. Please tune in if you can.

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That’s it for this week. I’m always left a little at sea after concluding a season of high-energy songs like St. Patrick’s Day brings with so many great Irish tunes. But spring is so invigorating, so I’ll bounce right back with the same enthusiasm. I hope you are healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of CCR songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, March 25, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, March 29, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Spring

Is it really almost the first day of spring again? Yep - this Friday. Of course that doesn’t mean we’re done with winter. No, we still have a ways to go for that - especially here in Colorado. But this time of year is full of energy. Although fall is my favorite season, I still relish every season as it comes with its reminder that life is here to be lived and enjoyed. I stood outside this morning (Saturday as I write this) and listened to a bird singing at the top of his/her lungs to welcome the spring and the beautiful morning. What a joyous expression of life and the season!  And now I’m writing on Sunday and it’s blowing 60 mph and giving us some light snow and graupel (snow pellets). That’s part of what spring is all about - lots of weather changes and push and pull as the earth shifts its position and we ride along. When I lived in the mountains, and even now as I live on the rural plains, spring represents mud and watching the weeds start up. There’s always a little trepidation as I hope the trees and bushes all come back. There’ll be little ones scampering around. The hawks are having their young, and little squirrels will soon be running from tree to tree. If we’re lucky we’ll see a fawn and maybe some coyote pups on our morning walks. The wildflowers will take their place in the fields. It’s always interesting to see which ones will come up based on the amount of moisture and the temperature. They seem to be different every year. I’ll be debating whether to get new batteries in the tree-trimming and yard tools. All of this activity makes me amazed at the resilience of the earth and the adaptability of wildlife. Life is just magical in so many ways. I guess I could go on and on as I muse over what the spring will bring this year. I’m sure you’re contemplating and enjoying it too. Happy Spring - and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, but one had to cancel due to a respiratory illness that’s affecting their ability to get together for meals and activities. That’s a couple weeks now they’ve had to limit their togetherness. I hope everyone is making it through okay. For the rest of my facilities I played lots of Irish tunes with loads of fire and spirit.

My Wednesday online show was Irish tunes, and it was so much fun. I love these songs so much, and every year I say I should play them more throughout the year. I may just do that this year! Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. I even had a little shot of Irish whiskey to go with my shillelagh, Irish guitar, green hat, green shirt, and The Burren (a beautiful area in County Clare, Ireland) background.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was a crazy night full of friends and great requests. I did a couple new songs and a few Irish songs too.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 14 senior facilities this week, and I’ll be playing Irish tunes and wearing my green for the first couple days with St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, and then it’ll be Irish and spring songs for the rest of the week with the first day of spring being Friday as I mentioned above. I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be spring songs, and there are some really great tunes on this list. I love the shift in focus from winter to spring, and the songs are full of the same vim and vigor as the spring. Come on out and join in the fun if you can.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I always work up a couple new tunes for these shows, and I delight at the variety of requests I get. It’s always a good time with some fine folks, and you’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re enjoying the change of seasons even if you’re buried in spring snow and mud. It’s the time of the year for rebirth and joy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of spring songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, March 18, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, March 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Beau

I’ve been posting lots of pictures of our dog Beau on Instagram and Facebook as I always do, but this past month the pictures have been of him recovering from surgery to remove 5 fatty tumors (lipomas) and one cyst. He did remarkably well for a 10-year-old big dog. We probably wouldn’t have done it if he were any older, but the vet was confident that it needed to be done and that he would do fine. He’s pretty much 100% now, but his sutures are still healing a little, so he’s wearing a sweatshirt to keep dirt and debris off of them for a few more days. He still has a lot of hair to grow back on his side and chest as well. Beau is an attractive dog, looking like a collie for the most part - a breed that many folks my age grew up admiring because of Lassie and her adventures on TV and in movies. He can look very regal when he stands at attention, and this hides his tendency to be a goofball much of the time. Every dog we have had was blessed with his own personality. Sometimes they were stubborn, and sometimes they were loyal, but through it all they were always loving and devoted to us. Beau is our 5th dog we have had together, following in the footsteps of Tanook, Truchas, Kai, and Moqui (pronounced like “Smokey” without the “S”.) We’ve had several cats too, but that’s another story for another day. Several folks have asked about Beau, so I wanted to give you an update. I hope you have loved dogs in your life too.

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I played Irish songs for most of them. Once I get into the Irish spirit it’s hard to hold me back. I think they all enjoyed the energy and passion of the Irish tunes. I was still on lifting restrictions this week which had me carrying my smaller equipment which sounded really nice.

My Wednesday online show was playing Irish tunes too, and it was so much fun! I just love doing these songs that hold so much spirit. I even had a little nip of Irish whiskey to celebrate. We’ll do these songs for this upcoming Wednesday as well.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it was a really fun one. We did songs about time for the time change as well as. A host of other beautiful songs. I love these folks and these evenings!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’ll be hopefully playing my Irish guitar and even carrying the Irish drum known as the bodhran that my friend Connie gave me a year or so ago now that I don’t have any lifting restrictions. I love celebrating this music with my seniors.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish tunes as well, and it will be a joyous and deep show of wonderful tunes. Please come out and help me celebrate the Irish.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I know it will be a grand time with good folks. Come on out for this too if you can. It’s always a highlight.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are able to celebrate the Irish in this fun season of history and music. Be well and take care of yourself and your loved ones - and pets!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, March 11, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, March 15, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Irish

We’re coming into one of my favorite seasons of the year when we get to celebrate Irish heritage at St. Patrick’s Day. I’ve talked about my family’s connection to Ireland before. Because my mother died shortly after she discovered our Irish ancestors I really don’t have any depth of knowledge about our people there or what they might have done. I’ve said before that all I really know is that I have always felt a passion for Irish music that I don’t really understand. Both the upbeat pub songs and the heartfelt ballads just sink down into me with an ancient longing. I love that feeling in all music, but Irish music just haunts and thrills me in a unique way. It’s like visiting a place you’ve never been to that instantly feels like home. Our bucket list includes a trip to Ireland, and I guess I’ll see if that rings true when we land there someday. The old song “Galway Bay” describes the beauty well. 

If you ever go across the sea to Ireland, then maybe at the closing of your day

You will sit and watch the moonrise over Claddagh, and see the sun go down on Galway Bay

Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream, the women in the meadows making hay

And to sit beside a turf-fire in the cabin, and watch the barefoot gossoons at their play

For the breezes blowing o'er the sea from Ireland are perfumed by the heather as they blow

And the women in the uplands digging praties speak a language that the strangers do not know

For the strangers came and tried to teach us their way, they scorned us just for being what we are

But they might as well go chasing after moonbeams, or light a penny candle from a star

And if there's going to be a life hereafter, and somehow I'm sure there's going to be

I will ask my God to let me make my heaven in that dear old land across the Irish Sea

So it’s time to celebrate Irish heritage. I look forward to this season, and it’s always gone too soon. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they wanted to hear quite a mix of tunes - from Irish to train tunes to sun songs. It was fun, and it’s always such a privilege to play for these folks. I was on lifting restrictions from having a leg vein treatment on Monday, so I used a very small equipment setup that sounded different but good.

My Wednesday online show was playing winter songs after being in the winter spirit from watching the Olympics, and there were some great songs requested and played. It was such a good time with so many sweet folks in attendance.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was a good one. There were so many neat requests and nice moments with good folks. We even did a couple songs to honor Neil Sedaka.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. I’ll be getting into the Irish songs in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, and I know it’ll be a blast. I usually would bring my Irish guitar, but I think I’d better hold off a few days until I can lift normally to carry it. It’s a big guitar that requires some special gear to make it sound great.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish tunes as well as the same for the next Wednesday. I love these tunes, and I can’t wait to share them with everyone. Please come on out if you’d like to get into the spirit of the Irish!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s always my favorite night of the week. The requests and moments we share are just magical. I’d love to have you in the audience as well if you’re available.

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That’s it for this week. I can’t believe it’s almost Spring. It definitely feels like it in southern Colorado lately. I hope you are happy and healthy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, March 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, March 8, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Winter

We’re getting towards the end of February which means we should be thinking about spring, but since we’ve been watching the Winter Olympics I still have winter strongly in my mind. Winter has always been a mix of fun and hard work in my mind. When I lived at a ski resort there was excitement every day that there might be great skiing with fresh snow, and there wasn’t much downside because everyone loved the snow and the adventure it brought. But winter has always meant scary roads and having to change plans around the weather. Sometimes it meant shoveling snow day after day and chipping ice just to maintain a driveway so I could get to work. Wearing extra layers and heavy boots is also a little more work. But in the beginning of the winter it means the holidays and lots of fun. Even in February I love the beauty of winter. Fresh, undisturbed snow is so beautiful, and frost and ice on the dried grass and trees is delicate and striking to see. It’s a whole different world. And the variety of the seasons is something I really cherish. When I talk to friends who live in areas where there isn’t much seasonal change they often talk about how boring it is to not see those changes. So I’ll take winter and enjoy it. I do prefer the fall overall, but I’ll love winter too!

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What have I been up to?


I had 14 senior facilities last week. That sounds like a lot, but they went by so fast with so much fun. I ended up doing a lot of Mardi Gras songs all week which were full of energy and joy. I think my folks really liked them! I love playing for them.

My Wednesday online show was cabin songs, and it was so much fun. There are some great songs about cabins and that wonderful feeling they bring when you spend time in them. Check out the show if you’d like to hear some of them - https://www.facebook.com/tommunch/videos/1221946313443136/ orhttps://tommunch.com/online-concerts I think that everyone enjoyed it!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and what a great night it was! We had most of our regulars tuned in, and it was full of wonderful requests and good vibes. Such fine times!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’ll probably start bridging into some Irish tunes. I love Irish tunes so much, and there is only a small window when people really want to hear them - just like Christmas songs. I do have an Irish guitar that I love to play, and I’m always ready to pull it out and go to town on some great Irish tunes.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be winter songs as I wrote about above. I’ll try not to make folks feel too cold! It’s really neat to think about the beauty of winter and the difference it brings to our thoughts - good and bad. There are some wonderful tunes. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I usually say this is the highlight of the week, and it often is. There’s such a warm camaraderie in the group that gathers around me and supports each other and the music. You’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this week. I did hear from Bruce in Cuchara about booking 2 dances in July and August at the Community Center for Dennis Mills and me. Those are always really fun nights. I’ll let you know when we pick the dates. I hope you got a chance to watch the Olympics and to revel in the joy and adventure those athletes feel. It was grand! Have a good week, and I’ll ring in again next week.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of winter songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, February 25, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, February 29, Just kidding - March 1, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Cabin

I was asked to do a show at one of my senior facilities recently with a cozy cabin theme. I had so much fun finding songs and playing them that I thought it would be a great theme for my Wednesday online show. I have spent some of my favorite times in a cabin whether it was in the mountains or at a lake or ocean shore. There’s just something so enchanting about a cabin with its simple ambience and rustic feel. It’s filled with a nostalgia for the historic past when folks lived closer to the land and were more self-reliant. I sometimes long for those days. I can remember quiet mornings with the clouds hanging low in a meadow with an ancient fire crackling in the fireplace and damp boots drying by the door while a map was laid out with wonderful plans and adventure waiting. I’ve even had a hand in building ia cabin, and it makes me feel connected to my ancestors in a deep way. “Away, away, come away with me, and I’ll build you a home in the meadow.” Sounds good, doesn’t it?

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week including 1 new one on Valentine’s Day that went really well. I played love songs for all of them, and it was so good spreading some love and warm feelings. I so enjoy playing for these folks. 

My Wednesday online show was also doing love songs, and it went so well. There were lots of great requests, and I think we did Saint Valentine proud. I love this group. 

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and I did a lot of Mardi Gras songs in addition to some great requests. What a night!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 14 senior facilities this week, and I hope to play Mardi Gras songs for at least a few of them before Fat Tuesday is over. There are so many fun songs for Mardi Gras. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be cabin songs. I had thought about doing Mardi Gras songs, but they don’t mean as much once the day is over. So we’ll do cabins songs as I wrote about above. There are so many songs that make me think of the fun and warmth of a cabin that I know it’ll be a good time. Come on out if this sounds good to you. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and this is always the highlight of the week as the friendship and camaraderie flow with the good tunes. I love playing for all of the Munch Bunch, and you’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this week. It already feels like winter is waning here even though I know we’ll get some snow and cold coming. It even rained overnight a couple nights ago which is very odd for us in February. I hope you are healthy and happy even with all the angst in the world. 

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of cabin songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, February 18, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, February 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Switching Gears

I want to write this week about making decisions about switching gears in life. I’ve always had a hard time changing things up. I stick with things long after most folks would give up. In some ways that’s admirable, and in some ways it’s not very wise. I like to serve and I like to help, and sometimes I’d rather do that than to venture out on a new path. My father-in-law used to good-naturedly tease me about how many places I had played music that had closed underneath me. That hasn’t happened in a while now, but I still think of that. It takes time to establish something worthwhile, and even though I’m not the best promoter, I do like to take the time to develop ideas and places. Luckily people have always seen my heart and have known that I am there for them. More and more, the aches and pains of age are catching up with me, and I know that someday sooner than later I’ll have to slow down. Jen is often reminding me that we want to do some traveling and that I have a lot of extra equipment and junk that we (I) should move on to a better home. I’ve always thought that I would play music until I was unable to - sometime in my 70s or 80s. I do watch my friends doing lots of cool things in their retirement like taking summer jobs in the mountains or traveling to some really cool places. Others keep inviting us to visit, and I have to tell them I’m still working. So when do you decide to slow down and switch gears? I’ll be 65 in April, and I remember that my dad retired at 66. All my siblings have retired, and Jen hasn’t worked outside the house in 10 years. (I’m fully aware that she still works harder than me!) If I don’t retire I’m afraid my body will make me regret it. So this has been on my mind a lot as I wake up to aches and pains and watch my voice and fingers struggle. If I start to sound really awful I hope you’ll let me know that it’s time!

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and I throughly enjoyed them all. I had to reschedule one so we could take Beau to a specialist to check out several lumps under his skin. They all look benign, but we’ll have surgery on him Tuesday to remove them so they don’t affect his love of taking walks and playing. He’s a good boy, and he deserves the best.

My Wednesday online show was love songs, and we definitely played some great ones. I would bet that half the songs In the world are about love, or at least it seems that way. Everyone really got into it, and I was so happy to be in the flow of love.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and we were missing a few folks due to the Super Bowl, but we sure had fun with some new songs and obscure favorites. I love this group! 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities even with one cancelled for Beau’s surgery and one cancelled for budget reasons. I love playing for these folks, and we’ll be doing love songs and songs for Mardi Gras as well since it’s only 3 days past Valentine’s Day this year. I have 3 special shows for these facilities on Valentine’s Day.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be love songs once again to celebrate Valentine’s Day. These songs are so joyful and uplifting, and I’ll hope you’ll come out and enjoy them with me.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests with an emphasis on Mardi Gras songs. These nights are always pretty special, and the folks in this community are so welcoming and supportive that it’s always a great time. You’re always welcome, and give me some requests if you have some.

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That’s it for this week. I appreciate you so much, and I thank you for reading my ramblings. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of love songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, February 11, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests with a lot of Mardi Gras songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, February 15, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Love

My show this Wednesday is songs about love, and of course I’d like to say something meaningful about love. I’ve written about love many times before, and I do think it is ultimately the most powerful force in the universe. For Valentine’s Day we’re thinking more about romantic love, but love can be generalized into caring and regard for each other since it shares the core of what romantic love is as well. Why do we have so much trouble practicing love? Religious theory stresses that we are sinful and incapable of showing love to each other without divine intervention. I don’t believe this for a second because I see the love that is expressed between people with no religious background and also in nature where animals that are supposedly dumb express love towards each other all the time. No, I think love is a conscious choice based on awareness of others and the bigger picture of who we are and where we are on this planet and in the universe. Those who don’t practice love are unwilling or incapable of showing the understanding that all things work together either in harmony or in dissonance. We are here in this life to figure that out, and some people just don’t get it. I know that it is a process, and I know that it took me a while to get it, but I don’t understand why we don’t stress it more and make it even more a part of our culture. There have been times when we have really tried. When I sing some songs of the 1960s and 1970s I’m almost surprised at the blunt lyrics about loving each other, and I lived through those times! Think of songs like “All You Need Is Love” by the Beatles, “Love Is the Answer” by England Dan and John Ford Coley, or “What the World Needs Now Is Love” by Jackie DeShannon. I still treasure those songs, and I still believe that they were on the right track. It’s funny how we get cultural notions about certain things that then dominate our conversation even when they are misguided. We also let louder voices often change our culture when we know better. But love is patient and love is kind, and so we tolerate everyone until things can get better. Love is the main thing in life. If we don’t understand it here then we will all understand it someday. Show your love, folks.

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and I had such a good time providing a lift and some smiles to these folks. One of the shows I did was “cozy cabin” songs. I had a lot of fun getting into the feeling of being in a mountain cabin on a winter day. I even learned a couple new songs.

My Wednesday online show was my original songs, and everyone really enjoyed it. I forget how much I like to play my own songs and tell stories about them. I should do it more often.

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests, and there were some wonderful requests including some ‘60s protest songs and a few new songs. It was a blast!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to them all. I had to cancel one for our dog Beau so he can get a lump checked out on his side. We’re hopeful it’s just a lipoma (fatty deposit) and that if it requires surgery that it won’t be too much of an ordeal for him. I may need to take some time off for treatments though.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be love songs as I wrote above. I’m not sure what type of love songs we’ll do (romantic or general), but it will be a sweet night of good stuff! Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and  there is never a shortage of wonderful requests and songs for this night. I’d love to have you in the audience if you’d like to tune in!

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Going forward

I did schedule the Yellow Pine barbecues for this summer on Thursdays from June 11 to August 6. Stay tuned for more, and call them up if you want to book some time in their cabins or come to the barbeques. 719-742-3528

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That’s it for this week. I love and appreciate you. I hope you are healthy and happy no matter what life is giving you.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of love songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, February 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, February 8, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Creativity

My show this Wednesday is some of my original music, and this has me thinking about creativity. My life has been filled with creative spurts that wax and wane. Sometimes this has manifested in songs and sometimes in art or photography. Sometimes it has just been creative thought with ideas and musings. I also consider it creative when I take a deep dive into details of how to make my life better through tools and ways of organizing. Anything that involves that internal drive to make is creative in my world. Throughout everything I have felt compelled to create and be in the flow of making something fine and worthwhile. In my life I have assumed it is part of the human condition to always be curious and spurred to be a bubbling well of giving and enriching this world. I’m not sure this is true for everyone though. I’m not judging here, just noticing that some folks say they don’t feel compelled to create. I think it is so engaging to look at every little thing in this life as an opportunity to thrill in the inter-workings and to learn to understand and weave them into my life. When it comes to music it has come in little and large leaps throughout my life. I have gone through whole decades when I couldn’t write a new song - only coming up with a verse and chorus or a nice melody or chord progression. Sometimes the floodgates have opened and I couldn’t stop the songs pouring out of me. I think in those slow writing times I found creativity in lots of other things that I wrote about above. I think it’s possible to live your whole life in a state of wonder and creativity if you just stop to absorb the moment and the amazing things that are happening. I think if we all lived our lives this way there wouldn’t be nearly the strife and pain we all feel with the greed and hate around us. It’s just a thought and a different way to look at life.

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed them all. We did lots of different themes - from old cowboy songs to humor and everything in between. I love playing for these folks and taking them on little journeys of the mind.

My Wednesday online show was songs from the Grateful Dead and Bob Weir with a couple Jerry Garcia tunes thrown in as well. It was way more fun than anyone anticipated, and I turned some folks into Dead Heads by the end of the night. There is good music all around us.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some great ones including a couple new songs for the group and one new one written by my friend Kelvin that I contributed a melody and chord progression to. It was so much fun!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week including one this Saturday that I haven’t played for in more than a year. That will be a special show of cabin songs. It should be a great week. These folks deserve it.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be my original songs as I wrote above. I do have a couple surprises up my sleeve including a new one I hope to finish by then. The creativity keeps flowing. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I have a couple new songs to play for requests there as well. It never ends, and I love these folks who come out to support each other and enjoy the music so much. Tune in if you can!

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That’s it for this week. I know there is a lot of angst in the world right now, and I keep trying to put good energy into the ether as much as I can. I know it makes a difference even though sometimes I just want to scream. I’ll keep on keepin’ on.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of my original songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, January 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, February 1, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Give and Take

I’m doing a tribute to the Grateful Dead on Wednesday to honor the passing of Bob Weir, one of the founding members of the band who played with them as recently as last August. As I’ve been reading interviews and watching videos about the band and Bob Weir, I’ve been once again reminded of how much bands depend on the synergy that happens between band members - especially in performance. The give and take with dynamics, chord choices, licks, syncopation, and overall feel is apparent in the great bands and players. Sometimes it happens naturally, and sometimes it happens as the result of a lot of playing together. Many of the greatest bands like the Beatles and the Grateful Dead were not only great on recordings, they were also great live. That’s where the real genius is born out. Both of these bands came by it through not only the mystical 10,000-hour rule - playing together for that many hours, but they also were truly dedicated to finding the minute variances in their playing that made everything gel in a sum-is-greater-than-the-parts way. I’ve been in a few bands where we achieved something like this. It’s so rewarding when you can feel it happening - giving and taking with all the elements. It comes from staying out of each other’s way and also complementing each other without stepping on each other. It’s so much fun when it all comes together. You can truly feel the music together in a subconscious way that leads to the ability to improvise changes at the drop of a hat. Giving and taking - what a concept.

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and I did hopeful songs for most of them. One of them even wanted to hear old cowboy songs which was a hoot. I love playing for these folks and providing encouragement.

My Wednesday online show was doing hopeful songs for a second week, and it was a good one. Sometimes I think I should just try to do hopeful and supportive songs all the time. It’s so worthwhile when you know you’re making a difference in other people’s lives.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it was a sweet night of new faces and old with some fine favorites and requests. I love these Sunday nights so much. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 12 senior facilities this week, and I think I’ll try to do some of the Grateful Dead songs I’m doing for my Wednesday online show when they are appropriate. I like expanding the list sometimes if I think it will benefit folks to hear the music.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Grateful Dead and Bob Weir songs. I’ve been working hard to learn some new-to-me songs as well as old favorites. Bob had some interesting songs he did solo that I think folks will really enjoy, and everybody knows those key Grateful Dead songs like “Truckin’” and “Friend of the Devil”. Come on out if you like their music or would like to hear why I like them so much.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’m always working on new requests for folks. Sometimes I think my brain will explode with all the new music I’m pumping into it all the time. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. Best to you as you navigate this ever-changing world. Try to do it with a little give and take.

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Grateful Dead and Bob Weir songs

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Wednesday, January 21, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of favorites and requests 

Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  

When:  Sunday, January 25, 7-8:45 pm mountain time