A Singing Pines Birthday

 by Abigail Clark

Howdy! This is Ellen from Singing Pines Ranch. This beautiful name Singing Pines came from my Grandparents. When they came here there were only forests upon forests of pines, and sometimes, they could hear them “singing” in the wind. I wouldn’t change a thing about this place! We live near a ravine and if the weather is clear, you can see the most beautiful night sky.

Everyone in my family has a horse. My horse is called Penny because of her shiny copper colored coat! Michael, my older brother, has a chestnut mare named Acorn because of a marking on her forehead. Father has a gray-black stallion named Smokey who is wild and Mother has a cream-colored mare named Cream.

One early morning before the sun came up Mother got us up and told us to get ready for riding, so we did. When we got to the barn Father had saddled Penny and Cream and told Michael to get Acorn ready. Apparently, Michael knew what was happening, but I still had no clue! When I got up on Penny, we left. There were still stars out! We rode for 15-20 minutes when Father told us to stop. We got off and Father spread a blanket on the ground and as I sat down, they started singing Happy Birthday! I was amazed, I had forgotten my birthday!

            As I listened, I saw the first ray of sunshine peeking over the horizon and I realized that riding there with my family and seeing the sunrise was the best gift they could have given me!