Joy

Joy. It’s a fleeting concept that we strive to have every day. It often eludes us, and yet it is mentioned in this holiday season in many a song and sign. Joy seems to be beyond happiness. It is a quiet knowing that lasts longer and runs deeper in us. I only feel it when I take a deep breath, slow down, and take stock of my life. It seems to supersede the angst that I feel when I look at the world and all its troubles. I don’t know if this is what defines it for all people, but I wish it for everyone at this special season. I’ve had fun putting together a show full of songs that express this kind of all-knowing peace and satisfaction for this Wednesday’s online show. It’s just such an interesting feeling and emotion to dive into. I hope you feel it at this season and always in your life.

——

What have I been up to?

I neglected to write about my senior facilities last week again, and I’m sorry for that because they mean so much to me. I had 10 shows even with being off for Thanksgiving, and it was a joy to share some holiday spirit with all of them for Thanksgiving. My Friday facilities were even ready to start doing Christmas songs.

My Wednesday show was doing thankful songs, and it was a blast. There are just so many tunes that express such thankfulness that fit the holiday. I think everyone had a grand time.

My Sunday show was doing favorites and requests as always, and there were some great ones. These Sunday evenings always turn out to be something special, and I’m so thankful for them.

——

What am I up to this week?

I have just 7 senior facilities this week which is not rare since a couple days are the 5th repeat of a weekday for the month (most facilities I do the same repeat weekday every month) which means I have a couple empty days at the end of the month unless someone requests them. I think we’ll be starting to do Christmas songs at many of them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the above-mentioned songs about joy which should be, what else, joyful! I look forward to an uplifting night of wonderful tunes and friends. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I’m sure there’ll be some good ones. If you’re ever wanting to hear me do a favorite song of yours, please tune in and ask for it. I’ll happily play it if I know it. And this sweet audience will welcome and support you!

——

That’s it for this week. If you’re planning your month of December and would like to hear me in the Southern Colorado area, then put on your calendar that I’ll be doing a Christmas concert at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence, Colorado, on December 16th at 7:00 pm. This is a very nice venue that I have played many times and many Christmases, and it always turns out to be a night to remember of Christmas cheer and singing. You can find out more at http://www.florenceartscouncil.com/concerts.html. I’d love to have you there!

Be well and joyful,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Joy songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 29, 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, December 3, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Thankful

It’s that special week when we celebrate Thanksgiving, and it always puts me in a different frame of mind. I am grateful for so many things in my life, and yet sometimes I fight the emphasis our culture puts on us to degrade ourselves to make ourselves worthy of the gifts we receive. I mean, we are worthy of receiving love and support, right? I think our culture tends to think that we have to humble ourselves to the point of prostrating in front of each other as if we didn’t deserve each other’s goodwill. It’s a very confusing thing. I think we are all truly special and valuable in the universe as individuals and as a collective, and I think that many bad things come from putting ourselves and each other down as a result of our beliefs and cultural philosophy. With that in mind, I am grateful for all the gifts I have received from so many people and from whatever force we believe in that grants us our talents and our awareness in this life. There is so much beauty and overflowing goodness that comes our way when we are open to it. I am eternally thankful for that. I think that is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and although many are suffering from illness and are requiring masks, they are getting by and are thriving for the most part. I’m thankful to have a presence in the lives of the folks in these facilities, and I’m happy to be able to add some measure of comfort and love.

My Wednesday online show was another group of songs I haven’t done at my online shows before. It is so much fun to introduce people to songs they’ve never heard before - or at least haven’t heard me play before. I think everyone had a really good time. We’ll do another batch of these songs soon.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and we were missing some regulars with the holiday and so much going on, but it was still a fine turnout with many great songs requested and played. I love this group so much.

——

What am I up to this week?

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Thankful songs to celebrate the holiday. There are so many wonderful songs about being thankful in so many ways. I even have a new one from Jim Salestrom who has been ill with cancer for a decade . I’m sad to hear that, but I’m grateful for his touching and joyful song about gratitude. Come on out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and this is always a special evening. I’m sure we’ll be carrying some holiday energy into the show, and so I expect a sweet night. Come on by if you can spare the time!

——

That’s it for this week. I appreciate so many people ordering my sunrise calendars that I wrote about last week. Here’s the link if you’d like to take a look at them and order one for yourself - https://www.lulu.com/search?page=1&q=Tom+Munch+&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope to see you soon.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Thankful Songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 22, 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, November 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Uplifting

I’m wanting to write something uplifting today, and I’m wanting to explore the purpose of being uplifting. I know it’s probably just a different take on where I often go, but I think it’s worth discussing. I believe in being positive and putting good into the world. It’s too easy to complain and bring everyone down with a bad attitude. If I let the badness seep into me that I see around me every day, then I don’t help anyone including myself. This is such a wondrous world that we inhabit for such a short time. I could give you spiritual reasons to uplift others, but I think it’s better to just look at how it makes you feel when you prefer another person or seek to help someone. I honestly don’t understand why people don’t just do this for the good feelings they get. It’s an endorphin rush that makes your whole day better. It also lets you escape from your own cares, and who doesn’t want to do that? So I encourage you to try to be uplifting in your thoughts and actions. It’s something I tell myself every day.

——

What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities that I neglected to write about last week. They all went very well, and I really enjoyed seeing all the folks and sharing some music and laughter. I was doing a lot of patriotic songs since Veterans Day was Saturday.

My Wednesday online show was doing songs I haven’t done for my online shows before, and I had a blast. There are so many really sweet songs that I have learned over the years that are very rewarding to sing and share. That’s some of the uplifting I can do with my online friends.

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests as always, and there were some fine requests and good surprises. I love these folks!

——

What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week including one I only get to play for a couple times a year, so I’m going to cherish every moment. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs I’ve never done yet again. I had so much fun at last week’s Wednesday show, that I decided to pick another bunch of songs that I love and never have played for the group. Come on out and hear some great tunes and get some nice surprises.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I always look forward to springing some favorites on the folks and seeing what songs they want to hear. It’s usually a really good time, so come on out!

——

My wall calendars for 2024 are available now. These are my favorite pictures from the past year of sunrise walks I make with Beau each morning. The price is $15 each plus shipping and taxes, and they are printed on demand at Lulu.com. Here are the links for them:

All

https://www.lulu.com/search?page=1&q=Tom+Munch+&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00

Horizon Sunrises 2024

https://www.lulu.com/shop/tom-munch/horizon-sunrises-2024/paperback/product-e7em8y4.html?q=Tom+Munch+&page=1&pageSize=4

Cloud Sunrises 2024

https://www.lulu.com/shop/tom-munch/cloud-sunrises-2024/paperback/product-84zvrkk.html?q=Tom+Munch+&page=1&pageSize=4

Sunrises with Beau 2024

https://www.lulu.com/shop/tom-munch/sunrises-with-beau-2024/paperback/product-je5kqgr.html?q=Tom+Munch+&page=1&pageSize=4

——

That’s it for this week. The holiday season is fast approaching, and I’m thankful once again for family and friends. We’ll do some thankful songs before Thanksgiving.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Never Done Songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 15, 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, November 19, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Worry and Fear

I’ve been thinking a lot about worry and fear. No matter what your philosophy of life or faith, it’s easy to be consumed with these things. I go through bouts of it over finances, jobs, social situations, and health. I can psych myself out over anything if I let myself go there. When fear creeps in and starts to make me worry, it’s easy to just get stuck in place. I think looking at it from a higher perspective is the answer - whether it’s through faith and philosophy or just plain practicality. My faith and philosophy say that everything will be okay somehow, and that may be naive to some, but it keeps me going. That higher perspective eases my anxiety, and then I can move on. Practicality-wise I can’t do anything if I am pent up inside, so I try to relax. Then I start breaking things down into smaller chunks and ideas to stop scaring myself and move into some sort of action or thought I can actually do. Of course it takes time to break things down and figure out what steps I can take, but it’s worth it. I tell myself to do this every time I start to feel afraid or unsure. I take a deep breath, reassure myself, and then break it down. 

——

What have I been up to?

I had seven senior facilities last week, and unfortunately one of them had to be cancelled for illness, but several were wearing masks. Three of them were Halloween shows, and it was fun rounding out the holiday with spooky and fun songs. I love playing for these folks so much.

My Wednesday online show was ‘50s Standards, and it was so much more than I could have hoped for. Everyone really connected with the songs of this era, and although I think I fumbled through a couple of the songs, I really enjoyed it too - alternating between a jazz electric guitar and a nylon-string guitar.

Saturday I swapped tunes with Mike Hogan on accordion for a great event in Walsenburg sponsored by the Huajatolla Heritage Foundation with speakers and food and music. It was cool to play old cowboy and mining songs and back up Mike on some polkas and waltzes. Big thanks to Sandy Dolak for putting on such a great event.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and everyone had me hopping with really fine requests to play. I threw in a couple favorites including the new Beatles song, “Now and Then”. That’s such a good song with a super video that compresses the Beatles through the decades. These Sunday night shows are so special with my good friends and fans.

——

What am I up to this week?

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be another night of songs I’ve never done for my online audience. I really love digging in my songlist and finding gems that people haven’t heard me do. There are just so many great tunes out there! Come on out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I love these nights of friends and tunes! Come on out if you can!

——

That’s it for this week. I hope you’re having a good start to your week.

Best always,

Tom

——

Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Never Done Songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 8, 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, November 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time