Wind

The wind is blowing a gale here this morning, and it was miserable as Beau and I made our sunrise walk this morning. That puts me in mind of how I’ve felt about the wind in my life. I once wrote a song idea about how the wind gusting at night was like a monster banging around into things in the darkness - trees and buildings and houses. I’ve read that it would drive the early homesteaders on the plains to madness when it blew non-stop for weeks at a time. It’s definitely something that takes a great deal of inner peace (or thick walls) to live through. As a kid in Nebraska we had a lot of wind. My dad used to joke that were two places in the world that were located in a great land mass with similar conditions - Siberia and Nebraska. I’m sure the folks in the Oklahoma Panhandle and surrounding regions had many things to say about the wind during the Dust Bowl. But beyond that I grew to love moderate wind when I sailed in a sailboat with my dad and siblings. The freedom it brought that was connected to the earth was very joyful. And one of my recurring dreams has always been one of flying over the mountains with the wind in my face. I’ve always loved kite flying, and yet I’ve lived through and revered tornadoes. So I guess wind is a dichotomy - it can bring good and bad. I like that, but meanwhile I’d like it to stop blowing today. 🙃

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and I was recovered well enough from my Covid bout to be in pretty good voice all week. I enjoyed starting the new year with optimism and love for these folks.

My Wednesday online show was hopeful songs to continue the good energy for the new year. It was a blast, and I only wish there was more time for more songs.

My Sunday show was favorites and requests as always, and it was a wonderful time with some really good friends and good songs. I did a couple new tunes, and overall it was a sweet evening.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities, and it should be a nice week of continuing to welcome in the new year. Sometimes I pick a theme at the beginning of the show with these folks and run with it. It can be so much fun!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be what I call “New-to-Me songs” - songs that I added in 2023 that I really love. There will be some older ones I learned during the year and some newer songs that were requested or newly released. I’ve done this the past two years around the new year’s start to remember some of the great songs that I don’t want to lose in the shuffle. Come on out and hear some great ones!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I’ve had some really fine requests that I’ll be performing as well as enjoying the camaraderie that these nights bring with all the great support and love that my audience shows for me and each other. It’s such a wonderful thing to be a part of. Come join us!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you are starting your new year well, and I hope to be adding some dates to my calendar too for lots of fun performances in the coming year. January is booking time.

All the best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of New-to-Me songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 10, 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, January 14, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Happy New Year!

It’s a new year, and I always start the new year with hope and beauty in my mind and heart. I don’t really make New Year’s resolutions, but I like to have a bright outlook and start with good thoughts and goodwill towards all. It’s easy to look at the bad things in the world and to fret about where we’re headed and what it all means, but I choose to believe in goodness and in the amazing intricacies of the world and the universe as it all works together as one to our benefit. It’s a beautiful thing to be alive and to be able to live and love in our lives. Happy New Year to you - wherever you may be!

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What have I been up to?

Last week was a recovery week from Covid for me, and I was able to play 6 senior facilities as I improved with two cancellations for two more facilities. I put out all the energy I could muster for them with fun shows celebrating the new year.

My Wednesday online show was a good one centering around the 12 Days of Christmas with a song or two representing what each day was about - birds or rings or whatever. It was a lot of fun, and I had plenty of energy to rise to the occasion with the wonderful group who came out.

My Sunday online show was a party for the new year with all kinds of fun requests from lots of folks from all over the world tuning in and enjoying the moment. It was such a good time!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities this week, and I plan to start out the year for each one with gusto and lots of good spirit. I even have one today - New Year’s Day. I love these folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be hopeful songs. I always like to have the first theme show of the new year be songs about hope and love, and it’s always a celebration with our great group. Come on out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and I have a few new songs to work on and play for this week. It’s a worthwhile evening of friends and music. You’re always welcome!

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That’s it for this first week of the new year. I hope you are starting out with hope and goodwill in your mind and heart. Happy New Year!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of hopeful songs

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

When:  Wednesday, January 3, 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, January 7, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Merry Christmas!

It’s a bright and snowy Christmas morning here in southern Colorado as I write this. I’ve been ill with Covid since last Wednesday, but I’m not letting it dampen my Christmas spirit. I won’t write much - just wishing you and yours a very Merry Christmas and letting you know what’s up for the week in my world. 

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What have I been up to?

I had 14 senior facilities scheduled for the week, but I only got to 5 before Covid got a hold of me on Wednesday. I still enjoyed spreading some Christmas cheer to my seniors on Monday and Tuesday. 

My Wednesday online show had to be cancelled since I wasn’t in any shape to sing and play. I really missed getting to sing to everyone. 

My Sunday online show ended up being a replay from last Christmas season with me commenting along like a director’s cut. It was fun and interesting, and I was able to be on camera for a few minutes before I started the replay and after to bid everyone a Merry Christmas. 

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What am I up to this week?

I have 7 senior facilities scheduled this week, but one has already cancelled with a Covid lockdown. Whether I play will depend on when I test negative and what each facility's protocol is. It will be interesting. I may be too weak to schlep my equipment and play anyway. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be a theme around the “12 Days of Christmas” song. Each day is of course a different bird, animal, or other gift that I’m working with the Munch Bunch to have a clever interpretation into an existing song - Christmas or otherwise. Come on out and see what we come up with. All of this is dependent on if I feel strong enough to play that day. If I don’t feel strong enough I’ll host an older show again. I’m hopeful I’ll be good that day. 

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be a New Year’s Eve celebration of party music and fun. I really love doing these New Year's shows, and I’d love to have you celebrate in your own home and earlier than midnight if you’d like to join in. I should be doing well by then. 

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re having a lovely Christmas Day, and I’ll echo the words of Tiny Tim, “God bless us, everyone!”

All the best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of 12 Days of Christmas songs

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

When:  Wednesday, December 27, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of New Year’s Eve party songs 

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

When:  Sunday, December 31, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

One Great Christmas

With Christmas coming next week I thought I’d share the memory of a great Christmas vacation when I was a kid. Our family home was a simple and small ranch style house in central Nebraska that we built in the early ‘60s with an addition on the back to make it big enough for 5 kids. Our garage was almost to the back of the lot with the neighbor’s house next to us with their garage at the back of the lot too. This meant that both of our driveways went from the street all the way along one side of the lot, and both driveways were next to each other with a short hedge and a small strip of grass dividing them. The long driveway meant we had a lot of concrete to skate and ride skateboards on as well as a long court for basketball. This was great until the snow came, and we used to get a lot of it in the ‘60s in Nebraska. The neighbor had planted the hedge between us for a border, but it also helped them avoid some of the snow that fell on our driveway. It had something to do with the way the wind whipped between our addition on the back of the house and our garage. The wind created swirling eddies in front of our garage, and then the hedge blocked the snow from blowing onto their driveway. As a result we could have three feet of snow dumped on our driveway when they only had four inches. The one Christmas I especially remember was when I was young enough to still enjoy building snow forts. We often had enough snow fall on our driveway that when we shoveled it from the garage all the way to the front yard it would make a pretty good-sized mound of snow. Well, on this particular Christmas we had snow that fell in a moderate amount every day for eleven days from before Christmas until sometime between Christmas and New Year during Christmas vacation. We were able to shovel so much snow into the front yard that we had two huge mounds and built two snow forts, one on each corner by the drive, with a tunnel that ran from one to the other and then across the front yard for several feet. It was the coolest thing ever, and all the kids in the neighborhood came to play with me in it. It lasted for many days until we had a warm day and someone broke through as we sledded from the top of one fort down into the yard. All these years later I still remember it vividly. That one was one great Christmas!

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week although another one was cancelled - again due to changing staff and situations. I need to do a better job of checking in with people. I enjoyed spreading Christmas cheer at all of them including the ones where I played for their Christmas party.

My Wednesday online show was doing Christmas songs, and I concentrated on doing older Christmas songs that I love. I even recited the old poem “The Night Before Christmas” since it is 200 years old this year. It was a very nice time!

Friday night I got to play at The Broadmoor for the Council of State Governments Western Legislative Academy graduation. It was a lot of fun, and it’s always a thrill to see The Broadmoor at Christmas with its beautiful decorations.

Saturday night I played a Christmas concert at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence, Colorado, and it was wonderful even though the crowd was a little smaller than usual with the Denver Broncos playing for a playoff bid that night. It’s hard to compete with football, but we made a fine time of it with some great Christmas songs and stories and Christmas goodies.

My Sunday online show was mostly Christmas songs to go with the season, but I snuck in some other favorites as well to round out the show. I always love playing for all the folks who come and share the music and themselves at my shows.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 14 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to helping them all celebrate the season. This is the best time of the year to sing great songs and encourage folks.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Christmas songs again, and this time I’ll try to go a little farther afield with my song choices. I’m sure I’ll get a lot of great requests as well. Come on out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be a special Christmas Eve show for those who are more solitary this year or for those can steal away from family for a while or want to share my music and our group with that family. It should be a good night of memories and sharing. I’d love to have you if you’d like to watch.

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That’s it for this week. I’ll probably have a special Christmas Day blog next week although I may wait until the day after so I don’t interrupt anyone’s celebration and don’t work on the holiday myself. Enjoy this special last week before Christmas, and if I don’t post a blog on Christmas Day, Merry Christmas!

Best,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Christmas songs

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

When:  Wednesday, December 20, 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, December 24, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Christmas Traditions

One of the things I like to talk about at my Christmas shows is different traditions that families and groups have. My family growing up was pretty traditional other than a couple family recipes for cookies and other goodies. My grandma had two German cookies - lebkuchen and pfeffernusee. The first of those had dried fruit and icing, and the second was anise and molasses. My mom had some other cookies she always made as well. We would sometimes go to church as a family on Christmas Eve, but we didn’t have any other Christmas Eve tradition that I can remember other than trying to get to sleep while we listened for Santa. Then on Christmas morning we kids would get up very early to get our Christmas stockings by the fireplace and watch the blinking Christmas tree lights and listen to music until our folks woke up and brought out orange rolls and started the gift opening. Since I moved to Colorado I’ve enjoyed the local traditions and treats like potica, a wonderful pastry, and Christmas tamales. Jen and I usually have a quiet Christmas of opening gifts to each other and our pets and having family time. I always ask the audience at my shows for family traditions they each enjoyed. I love hearing the answers and stories. How about you? Do you have any traditions to share?

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What have I been up to?

I had 10 senior facilities last week although one was cancelled due to a scheduling mixup. I am doing a lot of Christmas songs now as we zoom towards the day.

My Wednesday online show was doing fun songs from the ‘50s, and it was a blast! I wanted to have a party, and that’s what it felt like. I love doing these tunes so much - reminding me of the fun I had in the ‘50s band I played in for many years.

My Sunday show was doing favorites and requests and it was so sweet as always. We ended up doing quite a few Christmas songs. These Sunday nights are just very special with good tunes and good friends.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 9 senior facilities this week, and a couple of them will be having their Christmas party with me entertaining. It should be great fun!

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Christmas songs with its of variety between old traditional and new songs. I love basking in the music of the season. Come on out if to can.

Friday night I’m playing for the Council of State Governments graduation at the Broadmoor, and I mention it because it’s such an honor to get to play for all of these state legislators. 

Saturday night I’m playing a concert at 7:00 at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence, Colorado. I have played several Christmas concerts at this wonderful venue, and I look forward to seeing the folks who always come out to this great place to enjoy some Christmas cheer. I’ll be doing quite a variety of music including a sing-along. There’ll be Christmas artwork to look at and goodies to enjoy as well. Tickets are $8 for member and $10 for non-members, and you can find more information at http://www.florenceartscouncil.com/concerts.html. I’d love to have you there!

Sunday night will be my online show 7-8:45 mountain time of favorites and requests as always. I love doing these shows, and people come from all over the country to enjoy each other’s company and listen to the music. Come on out!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re enjoying the holiday season, and I’d love to hear your traditions if you have time to reply.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Christmas songs

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

When:  Wednesday, December 13, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Who: Tom Munch

What: playing a Christmas concert

Where: Bell Tower Cultural Center, 201 East Second Street, Florence. 719-784-2038

When: Saturday, December 16, 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, December 17, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

'Tis the Season

Well, it’s December 4th and time to get in the spirit for Christmas once again. I write about this each year, and I’m surprised at how much my feelings are different each year. This year I’ve definitely already started singing Christmas songs in earnest as my senior facilities have been wanting to hear them from as soon as the day after Thanksgiving. We had a little snow which helped to get me in the spirit, but this week it will be warmer with no snow until possibly Friday afternoon, so I’ll have to manufacture some of the spirit for myself. Here’s my process for that. I think of my best memories and idealistic outlooks on Christmas over the years, and I fill my day with stories and decorations of Christmas. I’m very conscious that historically this season’s celebration was shared by many cultures and peoples as an event of the winter solstice when they were dealing with long nights and colder temperatures. They were trying to stave off the winter blues as much as anything, and as an entertainer it’s my job to help with that. Christmas music can really change our attitude, so I basically make it happen with these cheery and meaningful songs. And I really do love Christmas music, so it’s a joy to get to be a part of the spirit that is so infectious. Let yourself get into it too!

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What have I been up to?

I had 7 senior facilities last week, and they were all so enjoyable and rewarding. As is said above, many were in the Christmas spirit and ready to start celebrating.

My Wednesday online show was songs about joy, and it was definitely a joyful evening of songs that were heartwarming and exciting. I had a great group of friends and fans out for it.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and many of those were already Christmas songs. We had a fantastic group of enthusiastic friends and fans that made the evening special. I played one of my older guitars that I had forgotten I enjoyed so much - a walnut Breedlove guitar I’ve had for over 30 years. I’ll have to play it more.

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What am I up to this week?

I have 10 senior facilities this week including one that has a 98th birthday that should be wonderful. The Christmas spirit will definitely be flowing this week.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be something a little different this week. I wanted a party night of fun songs, so I’m doing fun songs from the ‘50s before I dive into Christmas music the last two Wednesdays before Christmas. As I write this, this theme sounds odd to me too, but I’m really looking forward to a kicking evening of tunes. I may sneak in a couple ‘50s Christmas songs to stay with the season. Come on out if you’re available.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. These nights are just so joyful and filled with people I know from all over the country, and I cherish the opportunity to play for everyone each week. Come on out if you can.

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That’s it for this week. Once again I’ll remind you that if you’re in the southern Colorado area I will have a Christmas concert at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence, Colorado, on December 16th at 7:00 pm. This is a wonderful venue that I have played many times, and it always turns out to be a night to remember of Christmas cheer and singing. You can find out more at http://www.florenceartscouncil.com/concerts.html.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of fun ‘50s songs

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

When:  Wednesday, December 6, 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, December 10, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Joy

Joy. It’s a fleeting concept that we strive to have every day. It often eludes us, and yet it is mentioned in this holiday season in many a song and sign. Joy seems to be beyond happiness. It is a quiet knowing that lasts longer and runs deeper in us. I only feel it when I take a deep breath, slow down, and take stock of my life. It seems to supersede the angst that I feel when I look at the world and all its troubles. I don’t know if this is what defines it for all people, but I wish it for everyone at this special season. I’ve had fun putting together a show full of songs that express this kind of all-knowing peace and satisfaction for this Wednesday’s online show. It’s just such an interesting feeling and emotion to dive into. I hope you feel it at this season and always in your life.

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What have I been up to?

I neglected to write about my senior facilities last week again, and I’m sorry for that because they mean so much to me. I had 10 shows even with being off for Thanksgiving, and it was a joy to share some holiday spirit with all of them for Thanksgiving. My Friday facilities were even ready to start doing Christmas songs.

My Wednesday show was doing thankful songs, and it was a blast. There are just so many tunes that express such thankfulness that fit the holiday. I think everyone had a grand time.

My Sunday show was doing favorites and requests as always, and there were some great ones. These Sunday evenings always turn out to be something special, and I’m so thankful for them.

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What am I up to this week?

I have just 7 senior facilities this week which is not rare since a couple days are the 5th repeat of a weekday for the month (most facilities I do the same repeat weekday every month) which means I have a couple empty days at the end of the month unless someone requests them. I think we’ll be starting to do Christmas songs at many of them.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be the above-mentioned songs about joy which should be, what else, joyful! I look forward to an uplifting night of wonderful tunes and friends. Come on out!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I’m sure there’ll be some good ones. If you’re ever wanting to hear me do a favorite song of yours, please tune in and ask for it. I’ll happily play it if I know it. And this sweet audience will welcome and support you!

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That’s it for this week. If you’re planning your month of December and would like to hear me in the Southern Colorado area, then put on your calendar that I’ll be doing a Christmas concert at the Bell Tower Cultural Center in Florence, Colorado, on December 16th at 7:00 pm. This is a very nice venue that I have played many times and many Christmases, and it always turns out to be a night to remember of Christmas cheer and singing. You can find out more at http://www.florenceartscouncil.com/concerts.html. I’d love to have you there!

Be well and joyful,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Joy songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 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, December 3, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Thankful

It’s that special week when we celebrate Thanksgiving, and it always puts me in a different frame of mind. I am grateful for so many things in my life, and yet sometimes I fight the emphasis our culture puts on us to degrade ourselves to make ourselves worthy of the gifts we receive. I mean, we are worthy of receiving love and support, right? I think our culture tends to think that we have to humble ourselves to the point of prostrating in front of each other as if we didn’t deserve each other’s goodwill. It’s a very confusing thing. I think we are all truly special and valuable in the universe as individuals and as a collective, and I think that many bad things come from putting ourselves and each other down as a result of our beliefs and cultural philosophy. With that in mind, I am grateful for all the gifts I have received from so many people and from whatever force we believe in that grants us our talents and our awareness in this life. There is so much beauty and overflowing goodness that comes our way when we are open to it. I am eternally thankful for that. I think that is the true spirit of Thanksgiving.

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What have I been up to?

I had 11 senior facilities last week, and although many are suffering from illness and are requiring masks, they are getting by and are thriving for the most part. I’m thankful to have a presence in the lives of the folks in these facilities, and I’m happy to be able to add some measure of comfort and love.

My Wednesday online show was another group of songs I haven’t done at my online shows before. It is so much fun to introduce people to songs they’ve never heard before - or at least haven’t heard me play before. I think everyone had a really good time. We’ll do another batch of these songs soon.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and we were missing some regulars with the holiday and so much going on, but it was still a fine turnout with many great songs requested and played. I love this group so much.

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What am I up to this week?

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Thankful songs to celebrate the holiday. There are so many wonderful songs about being thankful in so many ways. I even have a new one from Jim Salestrom who has been ill with cancer for a decade . I’m sad to hear that, but I’m grateful for his touching and joyful song about gratitude. Come on out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always, and this is always a special evening. I’m sure we’ll be carrying some holiday energy into the show, and so I expect a sweet night. Come on by if you can spare the time!

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That’s it for this week. I appreciate so many people ordering my sunrise calendars that I wrote about last week. Here’s the link if you’d like to take a look at them and order one for yourself - https://www.lulu.com/search?page=1&q=Tom+Munch+&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, and I hope to see you soon.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Thankful Songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 22, 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, November 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

Uplifting

I’m wanting to write something uplifting today, and I’m wanting to explore the purpose of being uplifting. I know it’s probably just a different take on where I often go, but I think it’s worth discussing. I believe in being positive and putting good into the world. It’s too easy to complain and bring everyone down with a bad attitude. If I let the badness seep into me that I see around me every day, then I don’t help anyone including myself. This is such a wondrous world that we inhabit for such a short time. I could give you spiritual reasons to uplift others, but I think it’s better to just look at how it makes you feel when you prefer another person or seek to help someone. I honestly don’t understand why people don’t just do this for the good feelings they get. It’s an endorphin rush that makes your whole day better. It also lets you escape from your own cares, and who doesn’t want to do that? So I encourage you to try to be uplifting in your thoughts and actions. It’s something I tell myself every day.

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities that I neglected to write about last week. They all went very well, and I really enjoyed seeing all the folks and sharing some music and laughter. I was doing a lot of patriotic songs since Veterans Day was Saturday.

My Wednesday online show was doing songs I haven’t done for my online shows before, and I had a blast. There are so many really sweet songs that I have learned over the years that are very rewarding to sing and share. That’s some of the uplifting I can do with my online friends.

My Sunday online show was doing favorites and requests as always, and there were some fine requests and good surprises. I love these folks!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week including one I only get to play for a couple times a year, so I’m going to cherish every moment. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be songs I’ve never done yet again. I had so much fun at last week’s Wednesday show, that I decided to pick another bunch of songs that I love and never have played for the group. Come on out and hear some great tunes and get some nice surprises.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests, and I always look forward to springing some favorites on the folks and seeing what songs they want to hear. It’s usually a really good time, so come on out!

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My wall calendars for 2024 are available now. These are my favorite pictures from the past year of sunrise walks I make with Beau each morning. The price is $15 each plus shipping and taxes, and they are printed on demand at Lulu.com. Here are the links for them:

All

https://www.lulu.com/search?page=1&q=Tom+Munch+&pageSize=10&adult_audience_rating=00

Horizon Sunrises 2024

https://www.lulu.com/shop/tom-munch/horizon-sunrises-2024/paperback/product-e7em8y4.html?q=Tom+Munch+&page=1&pageSize=4

Cloud Sunrises 2024

https://www.lulu.com/shop/tom-munch/cloud-sunrises-2024/paperback/product-84zvrkk.html?q=Tom+Munch+&page=1&pageSize=4

Sunrises with Beau 2024

https://www.lulu.com/shop/tom-munch/sunrises-with-beau-2024/paperback/product-je5kqgr.html?q=Tom+Munch+&page=1&pageSize=4

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That’s it for this week. The holiday season is fast approaching, and I’m thankful once again for family and friends. We’ll do some thankful songs before Thanksgiving.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Never Done Songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 15, 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, November 19, 7-8:45 pm mountain time

Worry and Fear

I’ve been thinking a lot about worry and fear. No matter what your philosophy of life or faith, it’s easy to be consumed with these things. I go through bouts of it over finances, jobs, social situations, and health. I can psych myself out over anything if I let myself go there. When fear creeps in and starts to make me worry, it’s easy to just get stuck in place. I think looking at it from a higher perspective is the answer - whether it’s through faith and philosophy or just plain practicality. My faith and philosophy say that everything will be okay somehow, and that may be naive to some, but it keeps me going. That higher perspective eases my anxiety, and then I can move on. Practicality-wise I can’t do anything if I am pent up inside, so I try to relax. Then I start breaking things down into smaller chunks and ideas to stop scaring myself and move into some sort of action or thought I can actually do. Of course it takes time to break things down and figure out what steps I can take, but it’s worth it. I tell myself to do this every time I start to feel afraid or unsure. I take a deep breath, reassure myself, and then break it down. 

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What have I been up to?

I had seven senior facilities last week, and unfortunately one of them had to be cancelled for illness, but several were wearing masks. Three of them were Halloween shows, and it was fun rounding out the holiday with spooky and fun songs. I love playing for these folks so much.

My Wednesday online show was ‘50s Standards, and it was so much more than I could have hoped for. Everyone really connected with the songs of this era, and although I think I fumbled through a couple of the songs, I really enjoyed it too - alternating between a jazz electric guitar and a nylon-string guitar.

Saturday I swapped tunes with Mike Hogan on accordion for a great event in Walsenburg sponsored by the Huajatolla Heritage Foundation with speakers and food and music. It was cool to play old cowboy and mining songs and back up Mike on some polkas and waltzes. Big thanks to Sandy Dolak for putting on such a great event.

My Sunday online show was favorites and requests, and everyone had me hopping with really fine requests to play. I threw in a couple favorites including the new Beatles song, “Now and Then”. That’s such a good song with a super video that compresses the Beatles through the decades. These Sunday night shows are so special with my good friends and fans.

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What am I up to this week?

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be another night of songs I’ve never done for my online audience. I really love digging in my songlist and finding gems that people haven’t heard me do. There are just so many great tunes out there! Come on out if you can!

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. I love these nights of friends and tunes! Come on out if you can!

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That’s it for this week. I hope you’re having a good start to your week.

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 

What:  playing and singing an online concert of Never Done Songs

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

When:  Wednesday, November 8, 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, November 12, 7-8:45 pm mountain time