It’s getting to the time of year when I start to dream of the mountains again, and I look forward to spending time in them like many of us do in the summer. I’ve always loved the mountains. My family spent time there every summer as a result of my grandparents buying a small amount of land in 1930 so they could get out of the heat in Oklahoma in the summer. They were teachers, and going to the mountains offered cooler weather and summer work and adventures. So I was raised with at least a two-week stint in the mountains every summer where we would explore and learn all about wild places and different cultures and people. When I reached high school I got summer jobs teaching backpacking as a ranger and portraying a cowboy at Philmont Scout Ranch. The wildness filled me up and inspired me to write and to love peaks and streams and big stands of trees and meadows even more. As an adult I’ve lived in several places in the mountains and have traveled all over the Colorado backcountry and many other places in the West. I’ve always loved reading John Muir and seeing the photos of Ansel Adams and cherishing anyone who felt the same pull of the mountains. So Thursday we’ll celebrate the mountains for all they are and have been and will be. Of course nowadays we lament of the wildfires and beetle-killed lodgepole pines in our forests, but we still appreciate the wild spirit of these rugged places.
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What have I been up to?
I had 10 senior facilities last week, and luckily none of them had to cancel for COVID although a couple were in outbreak status still with active cases in the building. I love playing for these folks so much.
The Tuesday online show that was set up by Rick Myers was more than fun. He picked the songs for the night, and they were fantastic! Many folks said it was the best night we’ve had ever had.
My Thursday online show was one hit wonders of the 1970s, and it was also a blast. It’s impossible to sing some of these fun songs without getting into it.
My Sunday online show doing favorites was also nothing but fun. I picked more of my favorites which I know well, and everyone really enjoyed it.
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What am I up to this week?
I have nine senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to every one. I lost a resident and friend at one facility unexpectedly last week, so there’s a measure of sadness in playing for some of these folks who are not long for this world. It’s a privilege to play for them. So long, Robin Hill.
My Thursday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be the above-mentioned mountain songs. There are so many good songs about the mountains, and I know a lot of them. It will be a very good time.
My Sunday online show 7-8:30 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. It’s Mother’s Day, so I know we’ll do some songs for moms. My mom has been gone for seven years now, and I still think of her almost every day. I wrote a special song for her a couple years ago called “How Did You Know?”, and I’ll be sure to sing that.
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That’s it for this week. I hope you are well and happy. We keep plugging along, don’t we - spreading love and joy where we can.
Best,
Tom
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Who: Tom Munch
What: playing and singing an online concert of mountain songs
Where: facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts
When: Thursday, May 5, 7-8:30 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, May 8, 7-8:30 pm mountain time