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