Delights

I’m going to borrow an idea from my Philmont friend Dawn Chandler today, who wrote over the weekend of a book by Ross Gay that she loves called “The Book of Delights”. In it the author wrote about a different delight every day for a year. It opened him up to much more joy in his life even amidst the pain and fear that we all experience. I find that I like to do this too as I go through my day even though sometimes I have to make myself notice things that delight me. It is akin to object writing which I have also practiced to wake myself up to creativity in my writing and songs. Object writing is where you pick an object and write for 10 minutes about how it appeals to your senses. For instance, you take a pencil and write about how it looks, feels, smells, sounds, might taste, and how it makes you feel to use it. This exercise awakens your mind to creative words and phrases and ways of seeing. Seeing delight in your daily life can do this too. Without going down a rabbit hole you can appreciate how your computer keyboard clicks or how the texture of your shirt feels against your skin. It just takes you out of the race for a moment to appreciate the simple delights of your daily life. It can even be a simple memory that makes you smile. Just grab something in your life occasionally that gives you delight and lifts you up for an instant. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and it shouldn’t surprise you to hear that a few had Covid outbreaks. I guess I’ll stop writing about these outbreaks since they happen so frequently. With having to wear a mask I have committed to wearing glasses instead of contacts now since I need to tuck my mask underneath my glasses to keep it on when I sing. It is a definitely a new normal in our lives. I still love playing for these folks even when the situations are awkward or not ideal. I make the most of them to support the folks.

My Wednesday online show was doing songs from 50 years ago in 1974, and it was so much fun that we will do more of these songs this week. I had a much larger group come out than I expected, and the memories were really flowing.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was also well-attended and a blast. These nights just continue to outdo themselves with good vibes and good music.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 6 senior facilities this week, and I am looking forward to them all as always. I always have a few less on a fifth week of the month since most of my facilities are monthly-repeating gigs that fall in weeks 1-4. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the songs of 1974 again as I wrote about above. There are just so many great songs from that year, and they are so much fun to play and reminisce about. Come on out and join in if you can!

On Saturday night 7-9 I’ll be doing an online show for my Philmont friends and acquaintances. If you’re one of these friends I’d love to have you tune in and join in the fun and friendship on my Tom Munch Philmont Songs Concert Facebook group. My Philmont friend Jason Mascitti is sponsoring me as an extension of his Thrivent business. He does financial planning for many Philmont folks, and it’s definitely a service we can all use. Check him out at connect.thrivent.com/Jason-mascitti.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s usually a fine time of songs and camaraderie. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. Coming up I’ll be doing my Sunday night show on February 11th at my friends Deann and Matt’s house as part of my Valentine’s Day music. I look forward to that! I’ve also just booked July 6th in La Veta for Art in the Park again. Fun times coming up! Hope you are well and happy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of 1974 songs AGAIN

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

When:  Wednesday, January 31, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Philmont songs

Where:   facebook.com/groups/1176893032692370 and tommunch.com/online-concerts

When:  Saturday, February 3, 7-9 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 4, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

50 Years Ago

My online show on Wednesday will be songs from 50 years ago in 1974, and that has me thinking about what life was like in 1974. I was just a teenager, and I was just starting to play stringed instruments - starting with my sister’s soprano ukulele in 1973. My dad was stationed in Nebraska with the VA, and so our lives were fairly simple compared to life on the coasts. We didn’t have a lot of angst although we saw the mid-‘70s turmoil on the evening news like everyone else did. Folk rock was what interested me although our local AM radio station played a little bit of everything. I loved playing the songs of that era on a baritone ukulele which was basically a guitar without the two lower-pitched strings. I picked most of them up off the radio or from songbooks. There were so many songs that were based on acoustic guitar, and I loved the intricate picking patterns and cool sounds in these songs. I can’t remember all the events of 1974. I guess that was the year that Nixon resigned. Gas prices were higher with the oil embargo. My sister Jane graduated from high school that year. It was an interesting time. I think I was mostly just a dopey kid who was interested in music. It has been fun going through the songs of that year and bringing back memories. Where were you and what were you up to?

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What have I been up to?

I had 12 senior facilities, and they all went so well! Many are requiring masks with Covid outbreaks. I’m actually used to wearing a mask and singing now. I have to wear glasses so I can tuck the top of the mask under my glasses to keep it on, but it all works fine after all these months of doing it.

My Wednesday online show was winter songs, and there were some really good ones. I had a really large group of folks come out to celebrate the winter and enjoy each other and the tunes. 

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and I had picked out a great variety of tunes for my regulars in addition to the fun requests that were made at the show. I love playing these evenings so much for my fine friends and supporters! 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and they should all go very well. My amp has been giving me trouble lately, so I may have to switch up to a different one this week. I always want to give my very best to these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs from 1974 as I wrote above. There are so many great songs I know from this year! I’ve already gathered 90 of them, so we may have to do another week of 1974 songs just so we will not miss any favorites. Come on out!My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and it’s always the highlight of my week interacting with folks and doing some real gems of music. I love this group and this night. You’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this week. I’m really looking forward to all the songs and good vibes this week will bring. I hope you are well and relatively happy. Life is good.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of 1974 songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 24 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 28, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Winter

Winter really hit hard this week with sub-zero temperatures all across the US. It always seems that we get at least one solid week in southern Colorado where it gets down below zero for several nights in a row with daytime highs in the single digits or just barely higher, and I guess this is that week. I don’t mind. I have good warm clothes for being out in this kind of weather, and other than fogging up my glasses I kind of like the change. My dog Beau likes it too. We don’t usually walk when it’s below zero, but we do get right down to it. There’s something very special about a crisp and silent winter morning where the only sounds might be an owl in the darkness or the crunch of our footsteps in the snow. We often see footprints in the snow of coyotes, rabbits, and deer. Beau really likes to sniff those and follow along until they drift off the trail. The cold is just enough to feel it on my nose and cheeks a little where they’re not completely covered, and occasionally I get a little of the chill into my lungs where it sends an invigorating shot into my whole body. It really makes you feel alive. I know it’s the last thing that warm-weather-loving people want to experience, but I love it. Enjoy the season!

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they were all so rewarding. Getting to bring a meaningful experience to these folks is a blessing.

My Wednesday online show was doing songs that I had learned in 2023 that were new to me. This ended up being a really special night of songs. I think everyone who tuned in had a good time.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and I spent some time working up some cool tunes that had been requested to make it a memorable show. I love playing for my friends and fans.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 12 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to playing of every one of them. I say it all the time, but the satisfaction I get from playing for these facilities is golden.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be winter songs to follow along with this winter cold snap we’ve been having. There are so many great winter tunes! Come on out and join in with everyone to celebrate the season.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I try to work up some new tunes every week, and I try to play different guitars and add special touches to keep the evening fresh. You’re always welcome, and it’s always a good time.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re staying warm wherever you are. 

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, January 17, 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 21, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Wind

The wind is blowing a gale here this morning, and it was miserable as Beau and I made our sunrise walk this morning. That puts me in mind of how I’ve felt about the wind in my life. I once wrote a song idea about how the wind gusting at night was like a monster banging around into things in the darkness - trees and buildings and houses. I’ve read that it would drive the early homesteaders on the plains to madness when it blew non-stop for weeks at a time. It’s definitely something that takes a great deal of inner peace (or thick walls) to live through. As a kid in Nebraska we had a lot of wind. My dad used to joke that were two places in the world that were located in a great land mass with similar conditions - Siberia and Nebraska. I’m sure the folks in the Oklahoma Panhandle and surrounding regions had many things to say about the wind during the Dust Bowl. But beyond that I grew to love moderate wind when I sailed in a sailboat with my dad and siblings. The freedom it brought that was connected to the earth was very joyful. And one of my recurring dreams has always been one of flying over the mountains with the wind in my face. I’ve always loved kite flying, and yet I’ve lived through and revered tornadoes. So I guess wind is a dichotomy - it can bring good and bad. I like that, but meanwhile I’d like it to stop blowing today. 🙃

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and I was recovered well enough from my Covid bout to be in pretty good voice all week. I enjoyed starting the new year with optimism and love for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was hopeful songs to continue the good energy for the new year. It was a blast, and I only wish there was more time for more songs.

My Sunday show was favorites and requests as always, and it was a wonderful time with some really good friends and good songs. I did a couple new tunes, and overall it was a sweet evening.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities, and it should be a nice week of continuing to welcome in the new year. Sometimes I pick a theme at the beginning of the show with these folks and run with it. It can be so much fun!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be what I call “New-to-Me songs” - songs that I added in 2023 that I really love. There will be some older ones I learned during the year and some newer songs that were requested or newly released. I’ve done this the past two years around the new year’s start to remember some of the great songs that I don’t want to lose in the shuffle. Come on out and hear some great ones!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ve had some really fine requests that I’ll be performing as well as enjoying the camaraderie that these nights bring with all the great support and love that my audience shows for me and each other. It’s such a wonderful thing to be a part of. Come join us!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are starting your new year well, and I hope to be adding some dates to my calendar too for lots of fun performances in the coming year. January is booking time.

All the best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of New-to-Me songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 10, 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 14, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Happy New Year!

It’s a new year, and I always start the new year with hope and beauty in my mind and heart. I don’t really make New Year’s resolutions, but I like to have a bright outlook and start with good thoughts and goodwill towards all. It’s easy to look at the bad things in the world and to fret about where we’re headed and what it all means, but I choose to believe in goodness and in the amazing intricacies of the world and the universe as it all works together as one to our benefit. It’s a beautiful thing to be alive and to be able to live and love in our lives. Happy New Year to you - wherever you may be!

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What have I been up to?

Last week was a recovery week from Covid for me, and I was able to play 6 senior facilities as I improved with two cancellations for two more facilities. I put out all the energy I could muster for them with fun shows celebrating the new year.

My Wednesday online show was a good one centering around the 12 Days of Christmas with a song or two representing what each day was about - birds or rings or whatever. It was a lot of fun, and I had plenty of energy to rise to the occasion with the wonderful group who came out.

My Sunday online show was a party for the new year with all kinds of fun requests from lots of folks from all over the world tuning in and enjoying the moment. It was such a good time!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and I plan to start out the year for each one with gusto and lots of good spirit. I even have one today - New Year’s Day. I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be hopeful songs. I always like to have the first theme show of the new year be songs about hope and love, and it’s always a celebration with our great group. Come on out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I have a few new songs to work on and play for this week. It’s a worthwhile evening of friends and music. You’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this first week of the new year. I hope you are starting out with hope and goodwill in your mind and heart. Happy New Year!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of hopeful songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 3, 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 7, 7-8:45 pm mountain time