Owls

I just finished a book on owls called, “What an Owl Knows” by Jennifer Ackerman, and it happened that the great horned owls came back to our trees just as I was finishing the book. We have had birds of prey winter in our trees almost every year for the past 10 years or so. We either have Cooper’s hawks or great horned owls. They both fascinate us. The Cooper’s hawks are small hawks who hunt birds and rodents. The great horned owls hunt the same as well as cats and small dogs. They both scare away the song birds, quail, and doves who used to frequent our house and for who we used to put out bird seed, suet cakes, and water. That’s okay although we do miss the small birds. Owls are amazing to watch and live with. They leave pellets and bones around on the lawn and roof that are a little macabre sometimes. When they fly over our heads they are nearly silent and always a surprise. They don’t usually interact with us other than staring at us when we walk under them in a tree or flying off if we come too close. In the book the author would even have some species of owl who were annoyed who would fly over and knock off a person’s hat or thump an arm as they flew by. Typically we will have a pair that we assume are the same couple that have been living in our trees or in another tree a mile or so away where we walk often. They will have one owl born to them each year that we don’t see until it is nearly full grown and able to fly. The young owls don’t hoot. They make a weird screech that seems to say, “Help me, I don’t know what to do.” We often see one or both of the adults with the young owl. I saw the young owl yesterday with one of the adults in our trees. The young one was screeching while the adult just watched. They are so majestic and also kind of menacing with their piercing stare. It is a joy to have them around. It’ll be interesting to see whether it will be owls or hawks wintering in our trees this year.

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I played a huge variety of songs including some of the boat songs I played for my Wednesday online show. I enjoyed entertaining and encouraging them all.

My Wednesday online show last week was playing sailing and boat songs, and there were so many good ones. I had a nice crowd who were very engaged.

Thursday was the last barbecue of the season for the Yellow Pine. It was a packed night with lots of folks I knew, and the weather was good even though it stormed a bit to the north. I’ll miss these Thursday evenings in the old barn. It was a great season!

Friday I played instrumental guitar tunes at the Garden of the Gods Club for the diners. It was a warm night with lots of interesting folks. I played a lot of moon songs to honor the full moon.

Saturday afternoon I played a family reunion at the Yellow Pine for a nice family. It’s fun to play these kinds of gigs for good folks.

My Sunday online show was a great night of tunes for a good audience of friends and new folks. There were some really interesting requests including some new tunes for me from Van Morrison, Neil Young, and Zac Brown.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I think I’ll be playing more songs for August events like the fair and kids returning to school. I was surprised to see a school bus this morning on our walk. It seems like school starts earlier every year.

Wednesday I’m playing a private party in Cuchara for the Hermosa women’s group. I’ve been playing for this group of wonderful women for almost 30 years. 

Friday night 7-9 I’m playing a dance with my bass-player friend Dennis Mills at the Cuchara Community Center. We have played several of these dances over the years, and it’s always a really good time with everyone coming out for a night of friendship and dancing. It’s free admission, and you just can’t beat the inviting atmosphere and good vibes in the old community building. I’d love to have you there.

Saturday night 7-8:30 I’m playing at the Pueblo Riverwalk at the north end of the riverwalk by the big fountain past Brues Alehouse. They call it the Gateway Stage since it’s in the Gateway Plaza where they have all the western statues of the Goodnight-Loving Sculpture Trail and the Chuckwagon Play Area. It’s a beautiful area, and the nights can be pretty special. I’d love to have you come out to this as well if you’re in the Pueblo area.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I know it’ll be a good night of fun and meaningful songs. It ALWAYS is. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. Summer is winding down quickly, and I’m gracefully if not sorely landing. I hope you are healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch and Dennis Mills

What:  playing a free dance of country and rock and roll

Where:  Cuchara Community Center, 16500 State Highway 12, Cuchara, CO

When:  Friday, August 15, 7-9 pm

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing a free show

Where:  Pueblo Riverwalk Gateway Stage in the Gateway Plaza, Pueblo, CO

When:  Saturday, August 16, 7-8:30 pm

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, August 17, 7-8:45 pm mountain time