The Hidden Mysteries Behind My Favorite Place

I have many places that I go to feel safe.
However one of them is an actual person and not a place but they make me feel safe.
Come and join me on this adventure to get to know more about my favorite places in the world.

My first stop is my Grandma and Grandpa Sandman’s basement.
The creaky stairs make loud noises as we hurry down the steps.
All the cousins are here! It’s time to rehearse the play that we made up last weekend.
There’s a puppet show going on behind the couch.
Costumes are being put together with different toys in the wooden toy box.
We make up lines as we go but we don’t care.
We are laughing and just being our goofy selves.
“Time for dessert,” grandma calls
and we all rush upstairs to be the first in line for a super delicious dessert.

Next stop is the person that makes me feel happy.
Take a left and third door down is my Great Grandma Cook.
She tells the same stories over and over because of her Alzheimer's disease.
I don’t care because she is an ornery person.
“Time to take your pills, Helen,” an employee would say.
“I don’t need those pills. I am perfectly fine.
"I will die someday anyway.”
I always laugh at how stubborn she is.
My mother says that is where I get my stubbornness from. 

Let’s head to a town called Stromsburg for this next place.
My grams and papa’s old house was amazing
not that their new house isn’t but it holds a lot of memories there.
Their backyard had tall, wide trees, green grass, lots of places to run or play,
a little dog that was big in her own way, and a wooden fence to use for so many imaginative reasons.
The trees made amazing places to hide
when my cousins on the David side and I played hide and seek.
We would also hide everywhere near or in the house.
Their new backyard is like a forest so the smaller house makes up for it.

Now let’s travel to a town called Holderage.
This is where my great grandmother lives.
Great Grandma Harris is her name and her house is amazing.
The living room is where we gather for David side family events.
A room for showing her history.
Wedding dress, pictures, and artifacts bring back the good old days
or give us children a glimpse of who our great grandmother was.
The kitchen always has delicious food aromas for the fest that night.
The basement is where we have pillow fights and have so much fun.
The basement is definitely my favorite part about the house.

This next place on my list is what I call my happy place.
Animals in cages looking up at you with their big sad eyes, waiting to find the right family.
The cats in the room, play with the toys and do what they do best; sleep.
Small critters are joyfully teasing each other and wanting to be held by their new owner.
If you haven’t guessed already it is an animal shelter.
Specifically the one in Grand Island, Nebraska.
The puppy room or kitten room is by far my favorite place in the whole building.
I get to play with them, give them hope, and a snippet of happiness for the day.

Finally, we have arrived to my absolute favorite place.
This is where I can be myself, come up with stories or other creative things, a
nd it can be used for work and play whenever the time is right.
However, it can be a little distracting at the wrong times but it happens to the best of us.
I can’t raise or lower my voice but that doesn’t bother me one bit
because this is where I am safe from the outside world.
Where I don’t get judged for being too quiet to loud, or my appearance.
My perplexing and sophisticated mind is my favorite place in this universe.

~Scooby McRoses

A place to go to escape Life’s Problems

It's a place where no one knows

If I need a break from reality

My favorite place is where I head

And reassures me that there’s nothing to lose

My place helps me clear my mind

From all the daily struggles that life throws in my face

Whenever I am lost

Helps me remember who I am

Here I can never be angry

But it’s okay

Instead I lose track of time

I enjoy the company of being alone

Here I have complete freedom

It’s here where I feel at peace

I can think freely and speak my mind

I look back over time 

How exciting it was climbing trees

And hiding in the tall grass

While running through the tree line

That used to be an imaginary forest

With all the changes over the years

The memories that are kept here

Are ones that I’ll always remember

The atmosphere could put your mind at ease

Watching the sunrise and sunset

This place will never be forgotten

C.K

My Homes Away From Home

Blood, sweat, and tears

Well, not really blood or tears, but definitely lots of sweat went into making our tree house. 

Hauling logs, nails, hammers, and food out to our pasture took lots of work. 

My siblings and I spent weeks building it during the summer. 

Running out there every chance we could get.

It was a place we could go to get out of doing chores, but mostly because we wanted something that was ours.

It was a place I could go to free my mind.

Look off into the distance and wonder what the world has in store for me.

It was the one place where there was no bickering, no homework, no sadness, no pain.

All I had to do was relax and take in nature around me. 

Now, my place isn’t the comfort of my tree house, but rather the comfort of my room.

It’s where I go to decompress after a long day at school or at work. 

I can watch Netflix, take a nap, do my homework, and get away from my loud family for a bit.

It’s my safe place.

I have made some of the most important decisions of my life, as of now, in that room. 

It is my place, not my siblings or my parents, but my own space.

People may change and move away, but their places will always be there.

They will be waiting for the people to come back to them.

To appreciate their sense of safety and calmness,

Once again. 

-Em

Where I am From

I am from candles,

From the scents of apple cinnamon and frankincense. 

I am from the paint chipping off the siding, 

White, ancient, varnish from the ’80s,

But always brings the comfort of home.

I am from poinsettias and lilies,

The cactus from Arizona

Whose long, prickly thorns poked our fingers

And drew blood. 

I am from real Christmas trees and music,

From Faith and Louis

And Lyle.

I am from the tattletales

And the eavesdroppers,

From I love yous! And be grateful. 

I am from be still and know that I am God, 

With the sign of the cross 

And praying in tongues. 

I am from Jaci and Jim’s family tree, 

From garden-grown cucumbers and fresh chopped herbs.

I am from movie buttered popcorn and diet Pepsi,

From Shrek, The Sandlot, and A Christmas Story. 

Sitting inside my ice chest

Lies memories far greater than gold, 

From important documents to elementary art creations. 

I am from those memories

When my family brought me into their lives, 

And taught me all I should know.

No End

I wonder when did fall end

Winter seems to have come - fend 

Against the cold, my dear friend

Trapped inside, hiding I spend

My sad days waiting - please lend

For my tears as they descend

Tissues to wipe away pain

Winter has slain with no mend

Ms. E

Where I Am From

I am from Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska

I am the product of believing in Santa

Believing in the myths from childhood

All of the drawings from my youth sketchbook

I am from dad and mom

A mix of rural and city from them both 

The product of moving schools a couple of times

Product of a late diagnosis by  life-altering design

I am from a family of seven

Bigger than some but perfect for me 

And from the movies

Wherewith popcorn I always fill my tummy

Diet Cola has been my beverage of choice

Even though I need more water to fix that void

I am from playing cards in Nate’s garage

Until the sun was set and it was time to depart

I am from the land of Target

Which has and always will be my favorite to shop in

From Aebleskivers and pfeffernuss of my German and Danish heritage

To my qualities of stubbornness and arrogance

 I am me and I am from a lot

My qualities and favorites mean the most

All the things that I have been taught

These and more tell me where I am from, foremost

-Ylime Leon

Poveglia Island

Poveglia Asylum is an asylum on the most haunted island in the world. The island is called Poveglia Island. Poveglia Island is located Off the coast of Venice, Italy. This place will send shivers down your spine. Spirits crawl and haunt the place they once new. Dark evil spirits breathing down your neck. The screams of people who went here. The shadows hiding in this abandoned asylum. My dad came up to me and asked if I wanted to go here and see what’s so scary about this place. Of course I said I would because I like scary movies and haunted houses. We planned to go this weekend. I was excited to go I couldn’t wait. The days passed so quickly and then It was the weekend so we went and asked a man If he could take us there on a boat. He said “it will cost you” so my dad asked “how much”? The man answered and said “fifty american dollars”. My dad gave him the money and we were on our way. It was morning and the sun started to rise. When I saw the island I felt shivers go down my spine. We got there about 20 minutes later and it was full of trees and moss. The birds were very noisy, none that I have ever heard before. The man that drove the boat here has been here many times, so we asked him if he had stories and he said “no I just take people here”. My dad and I were on our way to the entrance of the big asylum and we heard something in the bushes right to the right of us and so we opened the bush and a bird flew out of there. It scared me and my dad. We finally found the entrance and went in. The rooms were dark filled with history and roomers. There was a bed with blood on it. The blood was wearing away as if had been there for a long time so my dad and I thought nothing of it. The building was huge so there was a lot of exploring to do. We started on the first floor. There weren't that many rooms down there but there was a rotten smell. My dad and I were trying to figure out what that smell was and where it was coming from. My dad and I found the source of where it was coming from. It was a dead bird that was laying in one of the dark corners of the room. As I got closer the room dropped temperatures. It felt like 20 degrees in there. I felt as if someone was watching me from behind me in the doorway so I turned around but nothing was there. We went on exploring the dark rooms and finally we were done with the first floor. I said to my dad lets get some fresh air. He said ok and walked outside with me. It got warmer as the day went on. I was thinking about that blood that was on the bed sheet. I was wondering if that was a murder or if it was a suicide. It was around 5 pm and we decided to go back to the boat and get something to eat. I had a couple sandwiches and so did my dad. Me and my dad got some rest after we ate. The time was no a little  after 8 so we decided to talk to the driver and ask what is the craziest rumor he had heard about this island. He said, “ I haven’t heard many but I heard that if you spend the night here the ghosts will come out of the dark and play with your mind. Me and my dad went to bed it was about nine o'clock now. I woke up it was 3 in the morning. I tried to get up and get a drink of water and I couldn’t move. I knew I was having sleep paralysis. I started to panic. I passed out and woke up again. I was in a dark room where I saw the blood earlier. I saw a tall figure with glowing red eyes. Things started to be thrown across the room. What I encountered was a demon. The demon was so strong it picked up the bed and through it at me. I was slammed into the wall. I still couldn’t move but I was in a lot of pain. I tried to scream but I couldn’t. My dad woke up the next day and saw that I was gone. He called my name but I didn’t answer. He went to look for me but couldn’t find me. He then called the cops and the cops searched the island. They finally found me I was in so much pain and needed to go to the hospital. I passed out and next thing I know I was in the hospital with a body cast.

DJF

The forest awaits me

I walk past the old shed

To a place where my fears flee

Past the hay bales

And into the crowd of trees

Down the muddy slope

With one foot sliding down in front of the other

They gracefully slide down the hill

I land on the bottom 

A giant dip from flood water years before

Where trees are left standing still

As they wait for their friends to fall down

I walk to the tall tree

Where I lean against

The flood is covered with old glass bottles and trash

This was their trash dump

But this, this is my home

The peacefulness surrounds me

It engulfs me and my fears go away

Where my childhood began

And where it might end

As I grow older its memories are still here

The old tree we tried to kick down still stands

I look at my hands and feet

The dirt covering them

As I slowly stand up

The tree holds me back, wanting me to stay

I have to let go and leave this place

As I climb up the slop into the light

I walk back to the sound of tractors and shouting

I wish I could of stayed longer old friend

But my happiness will have to end

Menchie the Cat

Little Ranch by the Lake

My favorite place is unique

To you, it might seem plain, simple

And quite boring

There is not much there

Just prairie and dirt roads

And a large, calm lake

That sits quietly behind the ranch house

But to me, it’s everything

It’s the place I once called home

My grandparents owned a ranch up in a little town called Ericson

Ericson is small, peaceful, and full of dirt roads and rich wildlife

I loved the town, but the ranch was my home

It was a place full of comfort, happiness, and endless memories

So many family holidays were spent there

Where endless dishes of food were sprawled out on the table

And the kids tore open their colorful Christmas gifts

The basement was huge

That’s where my cousins and I would hang out

We would play with all sorts of toys and have intense video game competitions

Or just relax, pop some popcorn, and watch a movie

Inside was great, but outside was where I grew up

I’ll never forget the things like

Role playing animals with my cousins back in the trees 

Or locking ourselves in the enormous dog cage 

To pretend we were in jail

Sometimes we would play baseball or football

Just to see who was the toughest and most competitive

During winter my brother and I would take a sled

And slide down a little hill right outside of the house

The family and I would race four wheelers across the land

Or go for rides in the noisy jitney

Watching the sun sparkle on the cool, blue lake

As I swam or went fishing with the family

Brought me so much peace

My grandma and I spent a lot of time together

We would make my favorite sugar cookies with frosting and sprinkles

Or take a nature walk around the Ericson land

My grandpa and I made a swing out of a slab of wood

And hung it from a tree near the house

I loved that swing so much

At the end of the day when we had all of our crazy adventures

We would gather together close to the bonfire

Roasting marshmallows and making sticky smores

And trying to scare one another with thrilling ghost stories

Or playing an intense game of flashlight tag 

Then we would go inside, take a warm bubble bath, dress in our pjs

And drink chocolate malts that grandma made for us

As the years went by and we got older

The time spent at the ranch was limited

My grandparents decided to move

Since it was getting too stressful for them to take care of

That was almost five years ago

I recently decided to drive up to Ericson

To see the ranch I had called home for so long

I was shocked to see the overgrowth of the vegetation

Bushes were overgrown and shaggy

And the trees were old and rotten

The green grass had turned to tall, golden prairie stalks

The house that I remembered as warm and lively now looked old and lifeless

In the distance I spotted that old slab of wood that I had loved so much

Rocking back and forth softly in the breeze

The land is returning back to the prairie it once was before

But the memories made there will remain forever

- NK

Greatful

I am greatful for a lot of people but I'm mostly greatful for my mom. My mom has been through a lot in her life time. She has taught me to be strong and how to be myself, and to be brave to. When she got cancer for the first time I thought she was not going to live. It was hard not seeing my mom the summer due to her radiation and chemo treatments my mom went through. I remember she would always tell me to always have faith. Everything that I would sit by the door to talk to her I felt as if she was lonely but I could not go in. After all the four battles of cancer my mom is such a strong, kind hearted person, that thrived to put peoples needs before her's. As she is five years cancer free she is such an inspiration to many people. My mom loves to teach kids and she always loves telling me about what her kids did to make her laugh.


MY

Escaping From The Man In My House

Escaping From The Man In My House

In my house alone I'm watching tv having a good time. I hear a bang but it wasn’t super loud so I ignored it and began watching tv. I started to hear creaking but thought nothing of it because my house is old. Then I hear what sounded like someone walking around in the kitchen. I started to panic a little bit but then calmed down. I thought to myself what I should do. I then walked up to my door and slowly pushed it all the way open. As I walked downstairs I saw a stranger rummaging through my kitchen cabinets. He looked homeless, with his long grey beard, no shoes, and he was really skinny. I began to panic again and slowly walked back up the stairs. On the top step as I was lifting my foot up the stairs creaked. It sounded like he started walking towards the stairs, so I quickly walked back into my room. I heard him coming up the stairs so I hid under my bed with my blanket to cover me. I forgot to shut the door. I saw a shadow creeping up to my door. I was so terrified, I couldn’t imagine what was going to happen next if he found me. He reached the top of the stairs. I could see him through a little sliver of my blanket that was covering me. He walked into my room slowly. I could tell that he was scared as well.

The first place that he checked was in my closet. He crept up to my closet with a menacing smile on his face thinking that the person who saw him was in there. He grabbed the handle and swung my closet open. He turned the lights on in my closet. He walked in there to look around for me. I began to panic again but quickly calmed down and thought of what to do next. I pulled the blanket away from my body and started to army crawl out from under my bed. I knew that I had to crawl out fast to getaway. I crawled out as fast as I could. I ran out of the door and slammed it behind me. I ran down the stairs and out of the door. I stuck my hand in my pocket to grab my phone and call 911. My phone wasn’t there it must have slipped out of my pocket when I crawled out. I knew that I had to go back into the house to get my phone, but how. I looked through the windows one by one trying to find him. He was standing in the kitchen again. I knew that I had to get upstairs. I ran to my backyard and there was a ladder leaning up against the wall. I grabbed it and put it up against my bedroom window. I climbed up and opened up the window slowly. I heard him downstairs eating. I crawled through the window and tiptoed to my bed. I looked under my bed and grabbed it. My heart was racing then I heard him coming back upstairs. I crawled back out of my window and saw him by the door. I slammed the window shut jumped to the ground , and pulled the ladder away from the window and ran to my neighbor's house to call 911. I told them that there was an intruder in my house. They were there within two minutes and took him to jail.

D.F