Yesterday was my birthday and I chose to forego my usual 2-1/2 mile walk by writing replies to everyone who sent me greetings through Facebook and email.

Really, the day was like any other: I taught three organ lessons, including one at the First Church of Christ Scientist, where my student, Sachi Hirakouji, is the organist. I don’t believe I’ve ever posted photos of this building before, so here you are:

A number of people sent links to the performance of the ‘Happy Birthday’ song on the former Crystal Cathedral Ruffati organ.

You also might like this tag team of four organists improvising on the song, including Olivier Latry, Vincent Dubois, Paolo Oreni and Michael Bottenhorn at St. Joseph, Bonn-Beuel (after you watch Latry take a l-o-n-g time to set up the organ pistons!)

I especially enjoyed this photo of a birthday cake.

See the organ pedals?

Hey, even when I was in Hereford Cathedral gift shop last summer, I bought this greeting card which can be made into a 3-D cardboard pipe organ:

But the cartoon I really enjoyed was one sent by my sister:

The only question: Am I an “old organist?!” (Gulp!)