Fools

Wednesday is April 1st and so April Fools’ Day, and I am going to do my online show that night with songs about fools. How to choose songs about fools is an interesting proposition, and I’ve had fun looking for songs that mention fools as well as contemplating what makes a song about a fool worthwhile. We tend to think of someone who is a fool as someone who is stupid and easily duped, but I’d like to turn that on its head a little bit. What if a fool is just someone who is wide-eyed and innocent and thus untarnished by the world and its cruelties? I even had one of my favorite fantasy book series by Robin Hobb called the “Realm of the Elderlings” that featured a character known as “The Fool” who was wiser than everyone else and who only played a court jester or fool to monitor and mentor another character who was going to change the world. Many of the songs I’m choosing feature someone who is a “fool for love” because they are so hopelessly in love that they will go to any level of commitment and embarrassment to show their love. Is that so bad? I think this extends to being a fool for other ideas as well. Sometimes being open to what are considered foolish ideas have opened scientists and great thinkers to discovering truths about our existence that have changed our world. My point is just that we may consider that being a fool for worthy pursuits is not necessarily a bad thing. I think that April Fools’ Day has always been about fooling someone with an outlandish idea or statement to see how gullible they are. Maybe being a little gullible is okay sometimes. Maybe we could use a little more of that in our jaundiced world.

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What have I been up to?

Last week I had 10 senior facilities, and I mostly sang spring songs or the CCR songs that I was singing for my Wednesday online show. I try to sing songs about whatever is currently going on, but I’m always willing to take a detour for whatever the folks I’m playing for would like to hear. Being flexible and caring is always a good thing. I love these folks!

My Wednesday online show was CCR songs as I mentioned in the previous paragraph, and it was so much fun learning more CCR songs for this show and connecting with the energy that this band put out. The ‘60s affected me in central Nebraska in my childhood in a different way than it affected a lot of people around the country and the world, and I get a real kick out experiencing that time though different eyes and ears. I know the folks in the audience really enjoyed it too.

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests, and there were some wonderful requests. I also did several Seals and Crofts songs to honor Dash Crofts at his passing as well as “Wild Thing” by Chip Taylor who also passed this past week. It was a fun show that I think everyone really enjoyed.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I will do mostly spring songs and a few songs about Easter if the folks want to hear them. It should be a good week as we head into April.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs about fools as I wrote above. This will be an interesting exploration of songs about fools. There are so many fun and curious songs about fools, and I think the audience will really like these as well as having a few good requests too. Come on out and join in if this sounds good to you.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These nights turn into a fine time of sharing camaraderie and good music, and I’d love to have you join in.

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That’s it for this week. I can’t believe it will be April this week already. The year is flying by, and there is so much angst in the world over all the war and troubles that make me really feel for everyone. I hope you are coping in a good way and taking care of yourself and those you love. 

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of songs about fools

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

When:  Wednesday, April 1, 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, April 5, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

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Be Prepared

In my life I’ve always been told to be prepared. I’m thinking about this now especially with wildfires in our area. I don’t remember if my folks instilled this in me, but I definitely got it from being in the Boy Scouts with their motto of “Be Prepared”.  As a result I’ve often taken this to heart in an obsessive manner. This isn’t all bad in that it’s allowed me get out of trouble and to help others when they’ve needed assistance. I know that obsession can be taken too far, but a little of that along with compartmentalization can also be a good way to cope when you get overwhelmed. At the best it becomes a way to avoid worrying because you’ve already planned ahead and have contingencies for different scenarios. I tend to live my life this way. I really like to be carefree, and thinking ahead and having a few tools at hand makes this easier. Many times my preparedness has been in reaction to a fix I’ve put myself in or have read about. When I read about a family who got in trouble in the mountains of California in the winter several years ago it made me create emergency bags for our vehicles. When I’ve realized I didn’t have a spare cord handy when one failed on me at a gig I made a bag with spare gear. When I realized I was often forgetting things I needed on a trip or on the go I created lists for different occasions that I could keep handy and modify as needed. I even have bags with what I need for different situations ready to go for many. All these things were on that fine line between obsession and normalcy. I must admit I also have kind of a gear fetish where I appreciate things that are useful and well-designed for their purpose. There is also that fidget factor that’s fun in some items. But back to the main topic, being prepared is usually a good thing. Would I love to be in a life where I never had to be prepared? You bet I would! But I’ve learned to have a peaceful life by being prepped as much as I can, and I like that too!

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What have I been up to?

I had 14 senior facilities last week, and the one that had been isolating their residents with a respiratory breakout was able to have activities again. I mostly played Irish songs with St. Patrick’s Day and beyond. It was a fine week of tunes with a lot of joy and participation.

My Wednesday online show was doing spring songs, and it was a wonderful night celebrating the change of seasons with lots of good folks tuning in. I love playing these online shows.

My Sunday online show was playing favorites and requests, and there were some really good ones. It’s always a mix of old and new, and everyone seemed to have a fine time.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week, and I’ll be mostly playing spring songs to put everyone in the wonder of this season as everything greens up again and the cycle starts once again. It’s an uplifting time of year.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be playing songs from CCR - Creedence Clearwater Revival. I am surprised I haven’t done a night of their songs before. John Fogerty has been touring with his sons in his band lately playing many CCR songs on the road, and he has also recently recorded his own versions of some of these classics. It’s inspiring to see him still playing almost 60 years later, and he sounds great! Come on out and celebrate him and CCR.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as usual, and these show are always exciting with great folks and great tunes. Please tune in if you can.

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That’s it for this week. I’m always left a little at sea after concluding a season of high-energy songs like St. Patrick’s Day brings with so many great Irish tunes. But spring is so invigorating, so I’ll bounce right back with the same enthusiasm. I hope you are healthy and happy.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of CCR songs

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

When:  Wednesday, March 25, 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 29, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Spring

Is it really almost the first day of spring again? Yep - this Friday. Of course that doesn’t mean we’re done with winter. No, we still have a ways to go for that - especially here in Colorado. But this time of year is full of energy. Although fall is my favorite season, I still relish every season as it comes with its reminder that life is here to be lived and enjoyed. I stood outside this morning (Saturday as I write this) and listened to a bird singing at the top of his/her lungs to welcome the spring and the beautiful morning. What a joyous expression of life and the season!  And now I’m writing on Sunday and it’s blowing 60 mph and giving us some light snow and graupel (snow pellets). That’s part of what spring is all about - lots of weather changes and push and pull as the earth shifts its position and we ride along. When I lived in the mountains, and even now as I live on the rural plains, spring represents mud and watching the weeds start up. There’s always a little trepidation as I hope the trees and bushes all come back. There’ll be little ones scampering around. The hawks are having their young, and little squirrels will soon be running from tree to tree. If we’re lucky we’ll see a fawn and maybe some coyote pups on our morning walks. The wildflowers will take their place in the fields. It’s always interesting to see which ones will come up based on the amount of moisture and the temperature. They seem to be different every year. I’ll be debating whether to get new batteries in the tree-trimming and yard tools. All of this activity makes me amazed at the resilience of the earth and the adaptability of wildlife. Life is just magical in so many ways. I guess I could go on and on as I muse over what the spring will bring this year. I’m sure you’re contemplating and enjoying it too. Happy Spring - and Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, but one had to cancel due to a respiratory illness that’s affecting their ability to get together for meals and activities. That’s a couple weeks now they’ve had to limit their togetherness. I hope everyone is making it through okay. For the rest of my facilities I played lots of Irish tunes with loads of fire and spirit.

My Wednesday online show was Irish tunes, and it was so much fun. I love these songs so much, and every year I say I should play them more throughout the year. I may just do that this year! Everyone seemed to really enjoy it. I even had a little shot of Irish whiskey to go with my shillelagh, Irish guitar, green hat, green shirt, and The Burren (a beautiful area in County Clare, Ireland) background.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was a crazy night full of friends and great requests. I did a couple new songs and a few Irish songs too.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 14 senior facilities this week, and I’ll be playing Irish tunes and wearing my green for the first couple days with St. Patrick’s Day on Tuesday, and then it’ll be Irish and spring songs for the rest of the week with the first day of spring being Friday as I mentioned above. I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be spring songs, and there are some really great tunes on this list. I love the shift in focus from winter to spring, and the songs are full of the same vim and vigor as the spring. Come on out and join in the fun if you can.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I always work up a couple new tunes for these shows, and I delight at the variety of requests I get. It’s always a good time with some fine folks, and you’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re enjoying the change of seasons even if you’re buried in spring snow and mud. It’s the time of the year for rebirth and joy.

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 18, 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 22, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Beau

I’ve been posting lots of pictures of our dog Beau on Instagram and Facebook as I always do, but this past month the pictures have been of him recovering from surgery to remove 5 fatty tumors (lipomas) and one cyst. He did remarkably well for a 10-year-old big dog. We probably wouldn’t have done it if he were any older, but the vet was confident that it needed to be done and that he would do fine. He’s pretty much 100% now, but his sutures are still healing a little, so he’s wearing a sweatshirt to keep dirt and debris off of them for a few more days. He still has a lot of hair to grow back on his side and chest as well. Beau is an attractive dog, looking like a collie for the most part - a breed that many folks my age grew up admiring because of Lassie and her adventures on TV and in movies. He can look very regal when he stands at attention, and this hides his tendency to be a goofball much of the time. Every dog we have had was blessed with his own personality. Sometimes they were stubborn, and sometimes they were loyal, but through it all they were always loving and devoted to us. Beau is our 5th dog we have had together, following in the footsteps of Tanook, Truchas, Kai, and Moqui (pronounced like “Smokey” without the “S”.) We’ve had several cats too, but that’s another story for another day. Several folks have asked about Beau, so I wanted to give you an update. I hope you have loved dogs in your life too.

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, and I played Irish songs for most of them. Once I get into the Irish spirit it’s hard to hold me back. I think they all enjoyed the energy and passion of the Irish tunes. I was still on lifting restrictions this week which had me carrying my smaller equipment which sounded really nice.

My Wednesday online show was playing Irish tunes too, and it was so much fun! I just love doing these songs that hold so much spirit. I even had a little nip of Irish whiskey to celebrate. We’ll do these songs for this upcoming Wednesday as well.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests as always, and it was a really fun one. We did songs about time for the time change as well as. A host of other beautiful songs. I love these folks and these evenings!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’ll be hopefully playing my Irish guitar and even carrying the Irish drum known as the bodhran that my friend Connie gave me a year or so ago now that I don’t have any lifting restrictions. I love celebrating this music with my seniors.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish tunes as well, and it will be a joyous and deep show of wonderful tunes. Please come out and help me celebrate the Irish.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I know it will be a grand time with good folks. Come on out for this too if you can. It’s always a highlight.

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are able to celebrate the Irish in this fun season of history and music. Be well and take care of yourself and your loved ones - and pets!

Best,

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 11, 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 15, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Irish

We’re coming into one of my favorite seasons of the year when we get to celebrate Irish heritage at St. Patrick’s Day. I’ve talked about my family’s connection to Ireland before. Because my mother died shortly after she discovered our Irish ancestors I really don’t have any depth of knowledge about our people there or what they might have done. I’ve said before that all I really know is that I have always felt a passion for Irish music that I don’t really understand. Both the upbeat pub songs and the heartfelt ballads just sink down into me with an ancient longing. I love that feeling in all music, but Irish music just haunts and thrills me in a unique way. It’s like visiting a place you’ve never been to that instantly feels like home. Our bucket list includes a trip to Ireland, and I guess I’ll see if that rings true when we land there someday. The old song “Galway Bay” describes the beauty well. 

If you ever go across the sea to Ireland, then maybe at the closing of your day

You will sit and watch the moonrise over Claddagh, and see the sun go down on Galway Bay

Just to hear again the ripple of the trout stream, the women in the meadows making hay

And to sit beside a turf-fire in the cabin, and watch the barefoot gossoons at their play

For the breezes blowing o'er the sea from Ireland are perfumed by the heather as they blow

And the women in the uplands digging praties speak a language that the strangers do not know

For the strangers came and tried to teach us their way, they scorned us just for being what we are

But they might as well go chasing after moonbeams, or light a penny candle from a star

And if there's going to be a life hereafter, and somehow I'm sure there's going to be

I will ask my God to let me make my heaven in that dear old land across the Irish Sea

So it’s time to celebrate Irish heritage. I look forward to this season, and it’s always gone too soon. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week, and they wanted to hear quite a mix of tunes - from Irish to train tunes to sun songs. It was fun, and it’s always such a privilege to play for these folks. I was on lifting restrictions from having a leg vein treatment on Monday, so I used a very small equipment setup that sounded different but good.

My Wednesday online show was playing winter songs after being in the winter spirit from watching the Olympics, and there were some great songs requested and played. It was such a good time with so many sweet folks in attendance.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and it was a good one. There were so many neat requests and nice moments with good folks. We even did a couple songs to honor Neil Sedaka.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. I’ll be getting into the Irish songs in anticipation of St. Patrick’s Day, and I know it’ll be a blast. I usually would bring my Irish guitar, but I think I’d better hold off a few days until I can lift normally to carry it. It’s a big guitar that requires some special gear to make it sound great.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Irish tunes as well as the same for the next Wednesday. I love these tunes, and I can’t wait to share them with everyone. Please come on out if you’d like to get into the spirit of the Irish!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s always my favorite night of the week. The requests and moments we share are just magical. I’d love to have you in the audience as well if you’re available.

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That’s it for this week. I can’t believe it’s almost Spring. It definitely feels like it in southern Colorado lately. I hope you are happy and healthy.

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 4, 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 8, 7-8:45 pm mountain time