Tuzi

We had an interesting week last week. Our cat Tuzi had a dental cleaning the previous Friday, and by Monday we knew she wasn’t quite right. She wasn’t eating normally, and she seemed a little sluggish. Tuesday morning we called the vet to see if we could get her in to get checked out. We finally got in by mid-afternoon, and her kidney levels were very high. We did some subcutaneous fluids and a couple other shots, and the vet said we could take her home and continue the fluids with some other meds. She said it might be smart to take her to the animal ER to get her on IV fluids if we really wanted to make sure she was okay. The ER checked her over a little better and found with an ultrasound that she had a mass on her intestines. They recommended she be checked into the hospital next door to stabilize her more and to have surgery to remove the mass. So that’s where we are as I write this on Sunday. We don’t know what the mass is, but she has had good fluids and some food that have brought her levels back to normal. After the surgery she’ll be able to come home by mid-week, and hopefully we can take care of her well. She’ll have an esophageal feeding tube for quite some time which will make it easier to give her food, water, and meds until she has healed. We’ll find out what the mass is next week, and hopefully that won’t be anything bad. She was in the same hospital after we first got her 9 years ago for kidney issues caused by a wrong drug she was prescribed. It will be a lot of work caring for her until she’s stable with healing abdominal surgery and a feeding tube. I’ll stay home as much as I can to help Jen with her. This will mean cancelling my senior facilities for a while although I’ll try to keep some gigs when I can. Our pets have always been our family, and right now we’ll pull together to support Tuzi. 

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What have I been up to? 

I cancelled all but 4 of my senior facilities where they fit in with our trips to Colorado Springs to see Tuzi. I enjoyed seeing the folks. 

The party I did on Wednesday evening in the Cuchara for the Hermosa group was wonderful. I’ll miss seeing those folks. 

My Sunday online show was my normal favorites and requests, and there were some great requests and kind support for Tuzi. I love these folks. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 15 senior facilities scheduled for this week, but I’ll probably end up cancelling most of them depending on how we’re doing with Tuzi. 

Wednesday I won’t do an online show so I can be there for Tuzi since she will have just come home hopefully. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as long as we have Tuzi settled into a routine. 

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That’s it for this week. Life is always full of surprises. Send our little girl some good thoughts and energy if you would including a prayer if you’re a praying person. We’re all in this together. 

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

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 23, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Tending

I’ve written before of how I like it when things are done, but it occurred to me Sunday morning as I was mowing and trimming that there is great satisfaction in tending things and guiding their growth and development. I’m not saying I do a great job making the yard, trees, and bushes grow, but I do like seeing how they respond to care and direction. I don’t know why I’m just coming around to seeing that at 65 years of age, but it’s better late than never, I guess. I’ve never been much of a planner, but I can see especially how those who came before made a difference that lasted with the land. Look at how the Native Americans maintained the forests and grasslands with planned burns and respect for the animals. Look at how good farmers understand how to protect the land with cover crops snd rotation. Look at how good parents and mentors know when to discourage and when to encourage their children and charges. I think of my parents when I say this. They knew pretty well when to jump in and when to pull back in our lives, and they did an amazing job planting and tending trees and making a garden in more than one place. It not only takes hard work, but it also takes so much planning and care. And obviously it goes into all the aspects of our lives. Thoughtful living and conscious stewardship are a must in any society that thrives. How about you? Do you think of the things you tend in your life?

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What have I been up to?

I had 8 senior facilities last week, and I did a pretty big variety of songs for all of them. One of them I just did old TV and movie themes and a few ads for. That was crazy! I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was playing traveling songs, and it was so much fun. We haven’t traveled this year, and so it was an opportunity to travel in our minds a bit. The group really gave me some super requests.

Thursday was the final barbecue of the season for the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, and it was very sweet. I had some good friends in the group, and we did a proper send-off for the season. Hopefully we'll be back at it next year!

Friday night I played a dance in Cuchara with my friend Dennis Mills, and it was a wonderful success with lots of folks coming out and kicking up their heels. I’m only sorry that Bruce (the organizer for the dance) isn’t completely well yet and couldn’t make it.

Saturday I had a birthday party for one of my old fans and friends from the Royal Gorge Bridge. Frank was turning 80, and it was great to see him and his family and reminisce a bit about the days I played up there and did a history show as well.

My Sunday online show was very enjoyable too with some good folks making some great requests. I love these folks as well.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week as well, and I’m looking forward to doing some more interesting themes for August. Every day is an adventure.

Wednesday I won’t be doing an online show because I’ll be playing a party for the Cuchara Hermosa, a women’s group I’ve been playing events for in Cuchara for many years. They do so many wonderful things in the community, and it’s a pleasure getting to play for them.

This weekend I hope to see family down in New Mexico at our family cabins since there are some I haven’t seen in over a year.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ll be bringing some great energy from the mountains so you know it’ll be a fun show. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. The summer is almost over, and we’ve been setting heat records here in southern Colorado. It was 105 degrees yesterday - ugh. I’m definitely ready for some fall weather. 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 favorites and requests 

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

When:  Sunday, August 16, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Traveling

I’m doing traveling songs this Wednesday, and although we haven’t really traveled this year I still feel the pull of wanderlust. What is it about new sights and the unknown that enchants us so? I can’t really express the sense of freedom and delight I get from exploring. Getting to leave everything behind and just setting off over the horizon is so magical. It’s full of possibility - both good and bad. When we were kids it seemed that the car always had to break down somewhere with a flat tire or overheating engine, and if we flew there were often delays. But the thrill of seeing something new and novel was so exciting. I still feel that today when we do get to travel. I have to juxtapose that with the fact that coming home always means a ton of work - from putting things away to catching up on mail and the house and getting back into the routine. But you get to leave that all in the rear-view mirror when you travel. It’s so much like a dream! I hope you’re getting to travel - even if it’s only in a good book or story.

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What have I been up to?

I had 6 senior facilities last week, and they were all lovely. This time of year is fun because there really aren’t any seasonal songs since the next holiday is over a month away. So we get to pick a theme for every show I do. The sky is the limit! I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show was blues music with a history of early blues thrown in for good measure. I learned a lot about blues while studying up for this show. For instance, did you know that western Africa had a heavy Arabic Muslim influence that may have contributed to the microtonal notes of the blues and later jazz? Fascinating!

Thursday at the Yellow Pine Barbecue was a wonderful group of folks including 4 Philmont friends who drove up from northern New Mexico and southern Colorado to join me. It was a blast!

Friday I had a perfect night for playing at the Pueblo Riverwalk with a lot of good folks in attendance. It has rained on me the last few times I’ve played there, so this was a real treat. Thanks you to all my old friends who came out!

Saturday I played for Colorado Day at El Pueblo Museum in Pueblo. It was a nice outdoor stage with lots of fun entertainment and nice folks. El Pueblo is a treasure! Happy 150th birthday, Colorado!

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and we had a fine bunch of folks with some great tunes. It was a pleasure!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 8 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to playing for all of them.  I say it often, but I love playing for these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be traveling songs as I wrote of above. There is such a wealth of great songs about traveling, from Ricky Nelson’s “Traveling Man” to Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again” to my own “The Road” there is such a celebration of traveling. Please tune in if you can.

Thursday 6:30-8 is the last barbecue of the summer for the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch. I enjoy these nights so much, and if you’d like to come experience this fun event in the old barn you’ll have to call right now for a reservation - 719-742-3528. It’s worth the beautiful drive!

Friday night 7-9 I’m playing a dance at the Cuchara Community Center with my good friend Dennis Mills on bass. These dances are so much fun, and the whole community comes out to enjoy the beautiful mountain night. You’re welcome to come as well. The admission is free although there is a donation spot if you’d like to contribute to the Cuchara Community Recreation folks. They do so many fun things for folks throughout the year.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and it’s always a great way to end or start the week depending on how you look at your calendar. I’m always up for a fun request, and you’re always welcome.

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That’s it for this week. I can’t believe it’s already August. Where does the time go?

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of traveling songs 

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

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

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing & singing at the barbeque 

Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara. 719-742-3528 

When:  Thursday, August 6, 6:30-8 pm

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 7, 7-9 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 9, 7-8:45 pm mountain time