Mountains

I’m thinking of mountains today and how much they have meant to me over the years. There are many things in life that are so much bigger than we are as individuals - mountains, oceans, canyons, stars, and many more. They remind us of just how majestic and mysterious life can be. When I’m on a mountain or even driving through mountains I am struck by their beauty and sheer power of presence. There is danger there, and there is delicate gracefulness as well. The jagged rocks and precious flowers are side-by-side in perfect harmony. And they offer “Because it’s there!” challenges and relaxation as well. Then of course there are the cool breezes and exciting wildlife. As I have written before, we have had family summer cabins in the mountains northern New Mexico that my grandpa and grandma built or acquired since 1930 that we would spend a week or so at in the summertime. Then I worked in the summers of high school and college either teaching backpacking or playing music in the mountains.  My family still has the cabins, and we spend a weekend at the beginning and end of the season opening and closing them every year. It’s that weekend coming up this week, so I have it fully in my mind and am looking forward to the sights and smells of the mountains even though there’s lots of hard work to be done fixing and maintaining them. So here’s to the mountains and every other facet of nature that delights and encourages us to live life to the fullest.

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and I had a blast at all of them. I really enjoy connecting with the folks when I get a chance to talk to them before and after my shows. There are so many great stories!

My Wednesday online show was doing summer songs as we were celebrating the start of the season with Memorial Day. It was great fun! I love playing for such good and caring people.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and there were some good new ones as well as old favorites. I’m still playing with lower tunings on my guitar, and it makes every song sound new and different. This community is fantastic!

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What am I up to this week?

I have just 5 seniors facilities this week - mainly because it’s the end of a 31-day month, and there aren’t as many monthly repeating days that fall in the last few days of a longer month. I’m sure I will love every one of them!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about mountains and mountain doings. This is a joyful theme that has me deep-diving into some of my favorite songs. Come on out and share it with me if you can!

I have a funeral on Friday for an elderly man whom I had the privilege of playing for him and his wife at their 50th wedding anniversary 20 years ago. What a joy to live such a long life with so much love.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I expect I’ll be pretty sore but happy after being in the mountains for a couple of days working hard. As a result, I’m sure the energy at Sunday’s show will be really something. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. My season for the Yellow Pine Barbecue starts in just 2 weeks on June 15th, and I’ll be writing more about it. Of course, there are many more summer gigs (mostly in the mountains!) that I’ll be writing about as the summer progresses. I’d love to see you at any of these wonderful gigs. Here’s my calendar if you want to read ahead - http://tommunch.com/calendar.

Happy Memorial Day!

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of mountain songs

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

When:  Wednesday, May 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, June 2, 7-8:45 pm mountain time