Monday, July 4, 2022 - Independence Day

It’s Independence Day morning as I write this, and that has me thinking of how I’ve spent this holiday over the years. When I was a kid I couldn’t wait to get my hands on some firecrackers and bottle rockets - the bigger the better. I would spend all day with my friends blowing things up in creative ways - ant hills, milkweed pods, old toys, or anything we could fit a firecracker into. Kids are pretty destructive and unaware like that. I think I grew out of that phase by my teenage years although I’m sure I still enjoyed lighting off a few pretty fireworks at night with my family. Of course we were usually at a lake or camping somewhere. My dad liked to sail his sailboat, and so as kids we accompanied him to several sailboat races around the area that frequently were held around Independence Day. One of my favorite Independence Day memories was driving back from one of these races along Interstate 80 in Nebraska as the night was setting in and seeing all the fireworks displays from each of the little towns positioned just north of the interstate as we passed them. It was a movable feast for the eyes. That’s was also around 1976 when the US celebrated our bicentennial, and I got to go on a school trip to Washington, DC in a red, white, and blue plane. When I left home I didn’t really celebrate Independence Day as much except to maybe go to a professional fireworks show somewhere. When I got my first dog when I was on my own he was deathly afraid of the noise, and he even ran away one year out of fright - digging out of the backyard and disappearing for three weeks. I also started listening to a radio show around that time called the Thomas Jefferson Hour. The host portrayed the third president on the air and answered questions and told stories and insights about early America and how our government was formed. That gave me a deeper appreciation for the serious thought that went into our independence and into the struggles it took to make our nation. I now spend Independence Day contemplating our country and it’s issues - some that our founders contemplated and that we are still dealing with more than 200 years later. I still appreciate the deep work our founders did to create something special that I benefit from every day. From the preamble - “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Happy Independence Day! 

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What have I been up to? 

I forgot to mention my senior homes last week. I had nine scheduled, and one had to cancel for COVID, and another had to change the setting so that it kept their residents safer. 

My Wednesday online show was doing the songs of James Taylor, and it was a wonderful if mellow night. James’ songs have always been favorites of mine to listen to and perform. 

The Thursday night barbecue at the Yellow Pine was cancelled due to COVID in the Cuchara community. This is usually the biggest barbecue of the summer before the 4th, so it was a tough decision to make, but it was for the best. Hopefully we can do this week. I’m going to promote it and hope we can. 

Saturday was the SPACe Art in the Park event in La Veta, and it was really fun and busy. It was so good to see so many friends, and being outdoors it was a safe way to see folks. The weather was really nice, and it held off raining for the whole time.  

My Sunday online show had some great requests, and it was just as good as ever with sweet friends and music. I’m blessed. 

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What am I up to this week? 

I have seven senior facilities this week. I’m not doing any today with Independence Day, and I think I had one cancellation, so it’s fewer than I usually have. I’m hoping COVID doesn’t get any worse for them since many have active cases currently in their facilities. 

My Wednesday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be doing music by Canadian musicians. Canada has a rich tradition of great writers and singers, and I’m really looking forward to celebrating their music, especially since one of our favorite Munch Bunch Group members, Bob Deskin, is from Canada. 

Thursday will be the Yellow Pine Barbecue 6:30-8. It’s great barbecue in the old and rustic barn with my music and a lot of atmosphere. Call for reservations ASAP at 719-742-3528. I’m hoping they don’t have to cancel this week for COVID. 

Sunday I’ll be singing at the Cuchara Chapel 11-12 mountain time for a virtual chapel service that you can watch if you like at cucharachapel.org if everything works out. We were up in the air about this service until just a day or so ago, so hopefully it will go off without a hitch. 

Sunday night my online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. We have such a fine group of folks who join together for this weekly celebration of friendship and music, and I’d love to have you join in if you can. 

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That’s it for this week. Life continues to be a rollicking time of music and adventures, and I’m happy to be with you to share them. 

Best always, 

Tom 

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Who:  Tom Munch  
What:  playing and singing an online concert of Canadian musician songs 
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts   
When:  Wednesday, July 6, 7-8:30 pm mountain time  

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing & singing at the barbeque 
Where:  Yellow Pine Guest Ranch, Cuchara. 719-742-3528 
When:  Thursday, July 7, 6:30-8:00 pm 

Who:  Tom Munch  
What:  playing and singing for the Cuchara Chapel virtual service 
Where:  Cuchara Chapel, Cuchara 
When:  Sunday, July 10, 11 am - 12 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, July 10, 7-8:30 pm mountain time

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