Breath

I’m reading a book about breathing called “Breath” by James Nestor, and it has me thinking a lot about the way I breathe. I’m on chapter 6 out of 10 chapters, and I’m learning a lot about breathing. The book makes some bold claims about how proper breathing can improve health in many ways. It also talks about how different cultures have treated breathing. For instance, the book says that Native Americans taught breathing only from the nose as the key to healthy living. We often hear jokes about how someone who is a “mouth-breather” is lesser than. The book shows examples and scientific studies that show how breathing from the nose decreases heart rate and lessens susceptibility to disease. I’m currently trying to master this as I exercise, but I always feel like I’m choking for air. When I was in college there were different exercises for singers and for wind and horn players where we were supposed to walk a certain number of steps as we inhaled and then walk a certain number of steps as we exhaled. Just a few of these cycles would almost make me pass out, so I never did much of this. I did learn to breathe from my diaphragm which is very helpful for a singer. I’m not sure that this has made me any more relaxed or lessened my chance for illness - especially after having Covid twice in just three months. After the 10 chapters of the book there are a series of breathing exercises and techniques in the book that will be interesting to try. I’ll let you know if they make any difference in my life. How about you? We hear often about the benefits of deep breathing. Do you have any stories or experiences in your life where breathing techniques have helped? Are you interested in reading this book too?

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What have I been up to?

I had 13 senior facilities last week, and I enjoyed all of them. I was definitely spent after some of these days with so many hours of playing - particularly because some of them were still doing high-energy Irish tunes that take more stamina. I love playing for these folks though!

My Wednesday online show was doing Spring songs since the first day of Spring was just the day before. It was very well-attended, and I think everybody had a great time.

Saturday I played a birthday party for a real sweetheart of a gal who has been at a couple different facilities I play at. Happy Birthday, Tosh! Then the memorial get-together that I played for on Saturday evening was very bitter sweet. The woman was a long-time friend and fan who will be definitely missed. Her family and friends are just the best.

My Sunday online show was back to favorites and requests after the previous Sunday’s Irish show for St. Patrick’s Day, and it was also well-attended with some old friends and new faces. These nights can really be special. You can always watch the after the show if you’re interested. They’re posted on Facebook here facebook.com/TomMunchFans/ and on my website here tommunch.com/online-concerts. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to them all. We have some snow today, so sometimes it’s not as easy getting out and about to them, but that usually doesn’t stop me. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs I haven’t done for my online shows before, and I always enjoy doing what I call “never done” songs for my group. Some of these songs are real gems that are so satisfying to share. Come on out if you’d like to be part of it.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I often say how special these evening are, and I expect this week will be the same kind of high. You are always welcome to tune in too. I’m sure I’ll do a few Easter tunes as well since it’s Easter Sunday.

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That’s it for this week. I find myself think about breathing constantly through the day while reading this book. Am I breathing through my nose? Am I taking deep or shallow breaths? Do I feel relaxed through my torso and shoulders? It’s fascinating!

Best,

Tom

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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, March 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, March 31, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Spring

Tuesday is the first day of Spring, and that’s a marker for a change of attitude as the earth tilts - and we with it. I’ve always felt connected to the earth. In general we aren’t very linked to it though since most of us live our lives fairly isolated from the outdoors in comfortable buildings and vehicles. I’ve been watching a series of videos lately about ancient Pueblo culture ruins that has made me think much more about living closer to the earth. It amazes me how Native Americans for the most part understood how to manage the land and our involvement with it for centuries or millennia. I think that happens when you live so closely with the changes that occur in the land and weather. After all, that’s why calendars and star gazing developed - we were trying to understand our relationship to the seasonal changes we felt around us. So what do I feel in my bones this Spring? Well, I feel the beginnings of the energy surge to prepare for a busy growing season on our property and in my work. I’m always amazed how this wave comes over me and drives me to new heights. Even when I feel a little less ambitious there is something inside me with that earth connection that sweeps me up and compels me to go, go, go! I’m hopeful that it will always be there as each year rolls around. How about you? Can you feel the Spring inside you?

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and most of them really wanted to hear the Irish music I was feeling in my blood. The songs of Ireland are so engaging!

My Wednesday online show was Irish tunes, and we did a lot of them with a fun crowd. I even had a little Irish whiskey to grease my throat - as one of those songs says.

My Sunday online show was also Irish music since Sunday was St. Patrick’s Day. It was so much fun, and I had a great audience to help celebrate.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 13 senior facilities this week, and I’m hoping they still want to hear some Irish songs since I’m not quite ready to let those go for another year. If they don’t that’s okay too. I love playing for them!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Spring songs since Tuesday is the first day of Spring. There are so many uplifting and beautiful songs for Spring, and I’m really looking forward to playing them. Come on out if you can!

Saturday I’m playing for another friend’s memorial who was taken too soon. I guess I’m at that age. I’m happy to lend whatever I can to help folks remember and celebrate their loved ones.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be back to favorites and requests after doing Irish tunes last week. I always look forward to these evenings of great requests and variety with my stellar folks who come out to listen and support me and each other. You’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this week. I did book a few more things I may not have mentioned yet. One is a concert at the La Veta Pines RV Park in La Veta on Sunday, September 1st at 7:00. I’ll reschedule my Sunday online show that week. Another is a concert at the Center for Inner Peace in Pueblo tentatively scheduled for Saturday, May 4th at 7:00 although we may push it to a week earlier. I’ll confirm this week. I also got the schedule for the Yellow Pine Barbecue for the summer. We’ll start on June 13th and go every Thursday until August 8th except for July 4th. They’re not having a barbecue that night. They will also have the annual end-of-season bring-you-own appetizer and beverage evening on September 5th. I’ll have more details as we approach these dates as well as Facebook events. Thank you for your friendship and support. 

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 20, 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 24, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Irish

It’s the time of year to celebrate Irish heritage with St. Patrick’s Day. I learn more Irish songs every year, and I ponder what Irish ancestry I might have as I look at a picture of my great-great-great-great-grandfather William Bell’s headstone in Quebec where he was buried in 1816. The genealogy that my mother had done before she passed in 2015 said that William was born in Ireland in 1739. He joined the British Army as a drummer boy and served in the French and Indian War in the US and Canada which ended in 1760 and then later in the war of 1812. I don’t know who his parents were or what they did in Ireland. I often think of what life must have been like for them. Were they subject to the oppression that many Irish knew and rebelled against? Were they musicians? Is that why I have such a deep affection for Irish songs, particularly the ones that get my blood up? I have no doubt that my love for some Irish tunes seems timeless and eternal. I know several versions of “The Water Is Wide” - some even with words written by me. The melody of that tune and several others like the “Mist-Covered Mountains” and the “Wexford Carol” just haunt me like no other songs. I hope to someday know more about my ancestry overseas, but for now I just imagine the lives of those ancestors and celebrate them with the music of Ireland. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Erin go Bragh!

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities scheduled last week, but since I had Covid the previous week 2 of them cancelled to fit their guidance around Covid. I did test negative finally which is a relief since I never really did test negative in December when I had Covid.

My Wednesday online show was doing more great songs from 1971, and I had a large group of folks out to hear these tunes and reminisce about that time. It was a blast!

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests, and there were some really good songs for this show as well as a few new tunes that I really enjoyed. It was a fine audience again - love these folks!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m having such a good time playing Irish songs for them all and telling funny Irish jokes and stories. They seem to really enjoy them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish songs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. I have well over 100 Irish songs in my repertoire now, and I’m just loving playing them. Come on out and join in!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will also be Irish songs on St. Patrick’s Day. I’ll probably even have a little Irish whiskey to honor the day, so it’ll be a lively show. I’d love to have you with me too!

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That’s it for this week. I just love this time of year with the chance to share some different tunes and some vibrant energy.

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 13, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Irish songs on St. Patrick’s Day 

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

When:  Sunday, March 17, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Sick

Well, I officially tested positive for Covid last week although it felt like a brief cold. I tested positive the day before the CDC changed its guidance on isolating and precautions. I’m happy to try to use every smart practice with disease, but it’s so confusing knowing what to do in so many situations around health. I very much respect all the science that goes on around diseases and illness, but it leaves me asking more questions most of the time. That’s unfortunate because it leads to a level of distrust around science and medicine that’s unwarranted. We have all heard the news about new science and medicine studies that we scratch our heads over when they seem to contradict a different study we heard sometimes in the same year. I follow science stories weekly and am so impressed with the knowledge and empathy that so many scientists have in their work and relationships. It really is a field where the majority are working from the right place as far as sincerity and honesty. Many even have the balance of spirituality and religious conviction to temper their science. That helps me have understanding for the perceived conflicts and confusion I see when I consider my own dealings with health and illness. I do trust that the science is always improving and giving me the best information I can get. Still I live day to day with some uncertainty, but I don’t let it bother me too much. Hey, I’m well today, and I never let my health be taken for granted.

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What have I been up to?

I had 6 senior facilities last week, but when I tested positive for Covid I cancelled 3 of them Thursday and Friday to be safe and follow guidance. I surely missed the folks, but I’m happy to consider their safety first. I’m right at the start of playing Irish tunes for them!

My Wednesday online show playing songs from 1971 was so much fun even though I had to stop to mute and blow my nose a few times. (Sorry about that!) 1971 had some super songs. We still had a blast, and we’ll do it again this week!

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests as always, and I had a wonderful group of folks with some great requests. I busted out my Irish guitar, and it sang like a banshee.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week although one cancelled to follow their guidance around Covid, and I’m waiting to hear back from 2 others whether they need to cancel for their guidance too. I love playing for these folks, and I’m happy to keep them safe although I’ll miss them if they have to cancel.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be another batch of songs from 1971. This was a great year of music, and I’m really enjoying reconnecting with these tunes. Come on out and join in with my great music folks.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and after last week’s banner evening I don’t know if we can top it this week. But I’m willing to try! You’re always welcome, and I’m happy to do a request for you.

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That’s it for this week. I’m so happy that my illness was short-lived and not bad at all. I hope you are well and happy too!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs from 1971 again!

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

When:  Wednesday, March 6, 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 10, 7-8:45 pm mountain time