Monday, March 20, 2023 - Spring

Today is the first day of Spring, and I have to say that it doesn’t feel like it on my sunrise walks on the prairie with Beau yet. I recently heard a podcast with a biologist saying that there is always activity in the ground even in the deepest part of winter, but I’m not seeing any evidence on the surface yet. It seems like it has been colder in the mornings consistently than I remember for this part of the year, but I haven’t looked up historical temperatures. The feeling I get on our walks is that of a tired earth that has yet to wake up for the year. That’s okay. It seems to work like a rubber band that stretches to its limit until it pulls like crazy to the other extreme. The sunrise times definitely work like that. In the winter they change less than a minute a day until they pick up and start moving two minutes a day. I’ve written before that it makes this time of year into a kind of pensive state as we gear up in our lives and our minds for the “busy-ness” of summer. I used to always work like a busy bee with plans for the summer, but I do less of that nowadays as I age and as the pandemic has changed the meaning of time and anticipation. It’s a good thing all around. It reminds me of the end of a Walt Whitman poem called “O Me! O Life!” that I posted to Facebook a couple days ago. “That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.”

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What have I been up to?

I had 9 senior facilities last week, but one had to cancel with a COVID outbreak. Others have gone back to wearing masks for safety. It was still a fun week with St. Patrick’s Day and all the great Irish music and festivities, but I did feel for those who were out with COVID.

My Wednesday online show was Irish music, and it was great fun. I even had a shot of Irish whiskey to sip on as I played that didn’t help my stomach much, but it contributed to the heritage of the evening. I think that everyone had a good time!

My Sunday show was favorites and requests, and there were several new songs and most of our usual host of regulars that made the evening more than worthwhile. We have such a supportive and caring group of folks!

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What am I up to this week?

I have 11 senior facilities this week, and I’m looking forward to all of them. Being that it’s after St. Patrick’s Day I’m not sure they will still want to hear Irish music, but I’ll be playing my Irish guitar and wearing my Irish cap, so maybe they’ll get in the mood. It’s hard to work so much and dive so deeply into a season of music and then give it up overnight.

My Wednesday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be Spring songs, and I’m learning a few new ones that I’ve found recently. It’s such a time of rebirth and joy, and it’s fun to spread that anytime! Come on out if you’re up for an uplifting night.

My Sunday online show 7-8:45 mountain time will be favorites and requests as always. Sundays are consistently my most-attended shows, and the spontaneous nature of them with requests and the possibility of anything happening make for a fun evening. My encouraging group of friends make it very special. I’d love to have you in the audience if you have the time free.

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That’s it for this week. I’ve heard that many people are using ChatGPT to write things like newsletters and blog posts, but I don’t think I’ll ever do that. I treasure the mental stimulation and creativity that writing brings too much to inflict that on you. Enjoy the first days of Spring!

Best always,

Tom

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Details this week:

Who:  Tom Munch 
What:  playing and singing an online concert of Spring songs
Where:  facebook.com/tom.munch and tommunch.com/online-concerts  
When:  Wednesday, March 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, March 26, 7-8:45 pm mountain time 

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