A special man's birthday.

Today is my husband's birthday. I don't talk about him here much because I'm not sure if he'd like that or not, but today, being his birthday - well he's going to have to tough it out!

I met the love of my life in 1980 - and yes, as corny as it sounds it was love at first sight! He is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He's the kind of guy you can give your heart to, knowing that he will always keep it safe from harm... and today he turns 54. Oh boy - he's not going to like that I put the number in here....

Gary loves me, and he loves to play the organ. He was a church organist for many years, but due to failing eye sight has not been able to do that for quite some time. We have always had an organ in the house - first a Yamaha spinet, that actually was mine before we married - then a Hammond Spinet - which we bought off a co-worker of mine - and now, recently he has acquired a Conn electronic Pipe Organ, which has become his newest joy or pain in the butt - depending on which day you ask him.

You see even electronic organs go out of tune, especially if not played regularly or if stored in unfavorable conditions. The Conn is over 30 yrs old, so we have no idea of it's history - but the first time he turned it on and played it... well awful would not begin to describe the sound that came from it. So off came the back, and tuning began. Some days it sounded better - most days it sounded worse. And let me tell you there is not much that is as frustrating as hearing an organ being tuned...

I have to commend him on his patience - I would have given up long ago - but he works at this labour of love daily - and it is starting to come together.

So now I'm going to take you to my basement where the birthday boy is practicing. The first video is on the Hammond spinet - which we no longer have.

The second is on the Conn... it might be a little off still but check out the sound at the end.... amazing from such a small organ... and pretty powerful for such a little house....

Enjoy the concert - hope the links work!

And Happy Birthday my love...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWy4xLwLih0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p42D23vM5-4