We had two interesting things happen in our neighborhood since my last blog. First Beau scared up a baby rattlesnake on our walk, and then the next day a mountain lion killed a deer a few hundred feet from where we walk. We are in the prairie near some pretty good bluffs and outcroppings that look like good mountain lion habitat, and we see bull snakes and red racers on our property during the summer, so these sightings are not that out of place, but it’s still a reminder that we are in their land as much as they are in our land. It’s a privilege to see such wildness, and I cherish every opportunity I get - even when it’s dangerous. As much as anything it’s a reminder that we are all in this together - a theme I often repeat. I’m usually talking about people, but we share this world and this universe with countless other creatures and forms of life. Everything is interwoven in ways we don’t really understand. It’s a joy to think about, and is even more of a wonder to experience. And in the midst of so much consternation in our current world it’s refreshing to see that there’s a whole world around us going about its business - seemingly oblivious to whatever we are currently occupied with.
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What have I been up to?
Last Thursday online playing the standards of Nat King Cole and Ella Fitzgerald was so enjoyable. I’m normally immersed in this music weekly as I sing for my seniors, although more and more they prefer country and ‘50s tunes. The songs just dance off my fingers and off my tongue, and I love, love, love doing them.
Last Sunday online was a completely different night with all kinds of favorite songs from a wide range of genres. It was a blast, and I can’t tell you what a thrill it is to see people from every era of my life and career - from childhood to recent days.
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What am I up to this week?
I have several senior facilities outdoors and online this week to play for. It seems that it’s still very hard to be essentially locked into these places although there are more outside visits and outdoor entertainment than there were at the beginning of quarantine. I pour as much love as I can into these musical visits - as I always try to do.
Thursday 7-8:30 mountain time I’ll be playing a Facebook Live show of Gordon Lightfoot songs. I’ve always liked Gordon’s songs, and I look forward to doing a deep dive on old favorites of mine as well as some newer requests. Gordon’s writing and playing is mesmerizing, and he always had top-notch players accompanying him as well, so it’s a joy getting to play these melodies and riffs. It’ll be on my website at tommunch.com/photos-videos and on Facebook at facebook.com/tom.munch.
Sunday 7-8:30 mountain time is my Facebook Live Request show. I’m calling it a Request show now, but it also becomes a chance to so some different kind of songs for me. Please tune in if you can. We always have a fun and fulfilling evening - tommunch.com/photos-videos and facebook.com/tom.munch.
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I’m also working on some private shows for Philmont and the Yellow Pine Guest Ranch. I’m creating Facebook groups for both of these shows, and I’ll also broadcast these on my website. I’ll post more as we choose dates, and you can join the groups on Facebook. I have the Philmont one up now, and I’ll put up a Yellow Pine one shortly.
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That’s it for this week. As this virus continues it really puts this transitional state we’re all experiencing into some interesting territory. I’ll have some more thoughts about it as we progress, but for now I’m doing okay and am contemplating the reflection it provides although I hate the cost to others it is causing.
Best always,
Tom
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Details this week:
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert Gordon Lightfoot songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When: Thursday, August 13, 7-8:30 pm mountain time
Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing a Facebook Live Concert of requests and favorites
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/photos-videos
When: Sunday, August 16, 7-8:30 pm mountain time