Smokey
Book Five, Story One
Smokey was a Pinto pony that I rode at the Evanofski’s farm in the Hazleton area of Pennsylvania when I was a young girl. He was just as temperamental as the Smokey in this story and just as much fun to ride! One time when I was riding Smokey at a canter (a faster gait) he just STOPPED, put his head down, I flew over his neck and head, and landed hard on the ground. It knocked the wind completely out of me. I could not breathe! My father and Mr. Evanofski came running to me and they each held one of my hands and told me I was going to be fine. I didn’t think so at the time! After the air filled my lungs again and I could breathe, I got right back up in Smokey’s saddle and we had a good ride. I had many good rides on Smokey…he was fast, fun, and kind of unpredictable! Such good memories of riding the real Smokey that I wanted to share in this story…I also wanted to honor Smokey, one of my favorite riding ponies when I was a young girl.
What Our Readers Say…
Cynthia came to North Side Elementary for an author’s visit assembly for students at our elementary school. Each classroom had prepared for her visit by reading Adventures at Green Apple Acres. The stories were engaging and fun. Each story taught a life lesson to which students could easily relate. The children were very excited for the presentation and Cynthia didn’t let them down. She was wonderful. She showed the kids pictures of the real animals that the characters in her stories were based on. She talked about the writing process and inspired our young authors to keep up their hard work.
