The Miller Report 11212024

 

Hello, Mindmyst Tales enthusiasts!

November has arrived, and with it comes the season of gratitude and, of course, hilarious cat antics. Why did the cat sit on the computer? Because it wanted to keep an eye on the mouse! And speaking of keeping an eye on things, have you ever seen a goat trying to climb a tree? It’s like watching a furry acrobat in action—truly a “goat-tastic” sight!

As we embrace the spirit of giving, let’s also embrace a little fun with our lotto picks this month. How about these lucky numbers: 1, 8, 15, 22, 30, and 39? May they bring you as much joy as a cat chasing a laser pointer or a goat munching on a fresh patch of grass. Happy November!

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 • Across my Desk
 
 
Ripped From the Ground! Storm Camping in Heavy Rain & Power Wind in an Off-Grid Cabin
The Outdoor Gear Review
stories:  disappearing tent stakes, work needed at Lone Wolf Mountain, a tree is down, vacation - eyes barely open, little cupid heater - runs on butane, money separates people.


10 Ways to Observe the Moon
The NASA website "Observe the Moon Night" offers a comprehensive guide for enthusiasts looking to engage with and appreciate the beauty of the Moon.


Woodworking smalls that sell
Bearded Viking Wood Works


Buzz Aldrin - Moon Landings
https://youtube.com/shorts/GsN5gnDQ5fk?si=k9xe3BwzntRqeQji


Heavy smoke smell in Southington, Ct this morning…what’s burning now?
Nobody knows why these fires break out so easily, but Quasimodo has a hunch.
I searched google for "how to start a large fire"
52,000 matches

Alien Abduction Researcher Shares SHOCKING New Findings
Daily Dose Of Wisdom
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKWj0OzUBS8

 Neil deGrasse Tyson Voyager 1 Has Detected 500 Unknown Objects Passing By In Space
FUTUREYAN


The Reader:
Late at night, the world outside was quiet, and the only sound was the soft rustle of pages turning. Bob sat in his study, a cup of spiced apple cider steaming beside him, its sweet aroma filling the air. He opened his laptop to the Mindmyst Tales Blog, eager to explore the latest entries. A notepad and pencil lay ready on the desk, waiting for his reflections and ideas. As he read, the warmth of the cider and the captivating stories wrapped around him like a comforting blanket.

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 • Game of the Week --- your chance to win a prize ...
 
Maple Glazed Bacon Skewers – Thread cooked bacon onto skewers, brush with maple syrup, and warm over the fire for a sweet, crispy treat that screams fall flavor.

Triangle Geometry at the Campsite

At the campsite, Molly sets up a tarp in the shape of an isosceles triangle to keep dry in case of rain. The two equal sides of the tarp measure 8 feet, and the base is 6 feet. What is the height of the tarp, perpendicular from the base to the top vertex?

Hint: Use the Pythagorean theorem by dividing the isosceles triangle into two right triangles.



 • Now,this week's amazing story!!

The Cabin
by Joe Miller

The snow fell relentlessly, blanketing the remote cabin in a thick layer of white as the wind howled outside. Inside, the warmth of the fireplace flickered gently, casting dancing shadows across the walls. A group of friends—Emily, Jake, Sarah, Tom, and Mia—had gathered for their annual Thanksgiving retreat, a cherished tradition meant to provide an escape from their hectic lives.

“Can you believe it’s been a whole year since we did this?” Emily said, pouring herself a glass of wine.

“I know, right? It feels like just yesterday we were here, stuffing ourselves with turkey,” Jake replied, grinning as he set down a bowl of snacks.

“Let’s make a toast!” Sarah chimed in, raising her glass. “To friendship and more unforgettable memories!”

“To friendship!” everyone echoed, clinking their glasses together.

As the night wore on, laughter filled the air, but the festive atmosphere began to shift when the blizzard intensified, cutting off all communication with the outside world.

“Great. Just great,” Tom said, peering out the window at the swirling snow. “Looks like we’re stuck here for a while.”

“Stuck together, you mean,” Mia added with a smirk. “What could possibly go wrong?”

“Don’t jinx it!” Emily laughed, but her eyes darted to the dark corners of the room. “Let’s just enjoy the night, okay?”

Curiosity got the better of them when they decided to explore the basement, a place they had always avoided. As they descended the creaky stairs, Sarah’s voice echoed in the darkness. “Are we really doing this? I thought we agreed to stay away from the creepy basement!”

“Come on, it’ll be fun!” Jake said, flicking on his flashlight. “What’s the worst that could happen?”

“Famous last words,” Mia muttered as they reached the bottom.

In the dim light, they stumbled upon a hidden door concealed behind old boxes. With a collective breath, they pried it open, revealing a small, dusty room filled with strange artifacts—tattered photographs, rusty tools, and an ancient-looking journal resting on a rickety table.

“Whoa, check this out!” Emily exclaimed, picking up the journal. “This looks ancient.”

“What does it say?” Tom asked, leaning in closer.

Emily began to read aloud, her voice echoing in the small room. “It details a series of murders that took place here decades ago… each more horrific than the last.”

“What?” Sarah interrupted, her eyes wide. “You’re kidding, right? This is a joke?”

“I wish it was,” Emily said, flipping through the pages. “Listen to this: 'The shadow of the cabin hung over the town. Those who entered never returned.'”

“Okay, that’s creepy,” Jake said, glancing around nervously. “Maybe we should put that down and go back upstairs?”

Mia shivered. “I don’t like this. Can we just forget we found it?”

“Forget it? No way!” Tom said, excitement creeping into his voice. “This is like something out of a horror movie! We have to know more!”

As they debated, the wind howled outside, rattling the windows. “I don’t know, guys. This feels wrong,” Sarah said, her voice trembling slightly.

“Let’s just take a look around,” Jake suggested, stepping deeper into the room. “What’s the harm?”

But as they began to explore, unsettling occurrences unfolded. Strange noises echoed through the halls, shadows flickered just out of sight, and one by one, items from the hidden room began to go missing.

“Did anyone take my jacket?” Tom asked, looking around in confusion. “I swear I left it right here!”

“Maybe it’s just the wind?” Mia offered, though her voice was shaky.

“Or maybe someone is messing with us,” Jake said, crossing his arms. “This isn’t funny anymore.”

“Who would do that?” Sarah shot back, her eyes darting around the room. “We’re all friends here!”

“Are we?” Tom said, his voice low. “What if one of us is connected to this? What if one of us is trying to finish what was started?”

“Stop it!” Emily exclaimed, trying to keep her voice steady. “We’ve been friends for years. We can’t let this journal tear us apart!”

“Yeah, right! You don’t know what’s lurking in the shadows!” Jake snapped, frustration creeping in. “We should just leave this place!”

As they argued, the tension in the room thickened. “Look,” Mia said, trying to mediate. “Let’s just stick together. We can figure this out as a team.”

“Agreed,” Emily said, her voice firm. “We need to confront whatever this is together.”

But as they began to reconcile, a figure appeared in the shadows—a silhouette watching them with malevolent intent. Panic erupted.

“Who’s there?!” Sarah shouted, her voice echoing in the room.

“Run!” Tom yelled, and they scrambled towards the stairs, their hearts racing.

“Wait! We can’t just leave!” Emily cried, but the group was already in a frenzy.

As they reached the top of the stairs, Emily turned to face them. “We need to go back. We can’t let fear control us!”

“Are you crazy?!” Jake shouted. “There’s something out there!”

The wind howled louder, drowning out their voices. “Let’s just split up and search the cabin,” Mia suggested, her voice shaky but determined. “We can find out what’s really going on.”

“Fine,” Tom said, his eyes narrowing. “But if I see anything weird, I’m out of here.”

The group reluctantly agreed, and as they split up, Emily felt a knot tightening in her stomach. She searched the living room, glancing at the dark corners. “It’s just us,” she whispered to herself, trying to calm her nerves.

But as the night progressed, more strange occurrences unfolded. A bloody handkerchief suddenly appeared in Jake’s backpack, sending him into a panic. “This isn’t funny, guys!” he shouted, his voice breaking. “Who’s messing with me?”

“Jake, calm down!” Emily said, trying to keep the group together. “We need to stay focused.”

“Yeah, right! You think this is a game?” he snapped, his eyes wild with fear.

“Let’s just take a breather,” Sarah suggested, her voice trembling. “We’re all on edge.”

“On edge? More like on the brink of a horror movie!” Tom retorted, pacing the room.

As they gathered in the living room, Emily took a deep breath. “We need to confront our fears and the secrets that bind us. We can’t let this cabin tear us apart.”

“Together, we can face whatever is haunting this place,” she said, her voice steady despite the turmoil around them. “We can’t let this cabin turn us against each other.”

But before they could respond, the figure reappeared, stepping into the light. It was a reflection of their own fears, each shadowy outline representing the darkness they had each been hiding within themselves. The figure loomed larger, morphing into distorted versions of their own faces, twisted by regret and resentment.

“Look at what you’ve become,” the shadowy figures whispered in unison, their voices echoing in the cabin. “Fearful, distrustful, and divided.”

Emily stepped forward, her heart racing but determined. “You’re not real! You’re just manifestations of our fears!”

“Are we?” the shadows replied, their voices chillingly calm. “We are the secrets you keep, the lies you tell yourselves. You can’t escape us.”

The group recoiled, their breaths shallow as they confronted the dark reflections of their insecurities. “No! We’re stronger than this!” Mia shouted, her voice shaking but resolute. “We’ve faced challenges before!”

“Have you?” the shadows taunted. “You’ve let jealousy and fear fester between you. How can you call yourselves friends when you hide the truth?”

Jake took a step back, his eyes wide with realization. “This is what the journal was warning us about… It’s not just the cabin; it’s us!”

Tom clenched his fists. “We’ve let our past mistakes define us. We can’t keep blaming each other!”

“Then face us,” the shadows hissed, advancing toward them. “Face the truth of who you are!”

With a deep breath, Emily turned to her friends. “We have to confront what’s been buried. We can’t let fear dictate our lives anymore.”

“Together,” Emily added, her voice steady. “We need to be honest with each other.”

The group formed a circle, linking hands as they faced the shadows. “We’re not afraid of you!” Emily declared, her voice rising with conviction. “We’re ready to embrace the truth!”

The shadows hesitated, their forms flickering as if unsure. “You think you can break free? You think you can change?”

“Yes!” they shouted in unison, their voices echoing through the cabin. “We can change, and we will!”

As their collective determination surged, the light from the fireplace flickered brighter, illuminating the room. The shadows shrieked, their forms beginning to dissolve under the intensity of their resolve.

“Together, we are stronger than our fears!” Mia shouted, squeezing her friends’ hands tighter.

The shadows writhed in agony, their whispers fading into the air. “You may have won this time, but we will return!”

With one final burst of light, the shadows vanished, leaving behind an eerie silence. The friends stood in the aftermath, breathless and shaken.

“We did it,” Jake said, disbelief in his voice. “We faced our fears.”

“But it’s just the beginning,” Sarah reminded them. “We have to keep being honest with each other. No more secrets.”

As the dawn broke outside, the storm subsided, and the first rays of sunlight streamed through the windows, dispelling the darkness that had enveloped the cabin. The friends hugged tightly, feeling the weight of the night lift from their shoulders.

“Let’s make a pact,” Emily suggested, her voice firm. “No matter what happens, we promise to support each other. No secrets, no lies.”

“Agreed,” they all said, a sense of relief washing over them.

As they began to pack their things, laughter replaced the tension that had once filled the cabin. They reminisced about the good times they had shared, the memories that had brought them together, and the lessons they had learned during their harrowing experience.

When they finally stepped outside, the world was transformed. The snow glistened in the morning light, a fresh start after the darkness of the night. The cabin stood silently behind them, a reminder of the challenges they had faced but also of the strength they had found.

As they drove away, the bond between them felt unbreakable. They had faced the shadows together and emerged stronger, ready to embrace whatever life threw their way. Together, they would navigate the light and dark, knowing that true friendship could withstand even the fiercest storms.




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Step into the eerie world of "Street Tales" by Joseph Miller, where 13 short stories blend horror, suspense, and the supernatural. This anthology offers a thrilling escape into tales of murder, the paranormal, and otherworldly encounters. Each story is a masterclass in building tension and delivering shocking twists. Perfect for late-night reading, "Street Tales" will leave you looking over your shoulder long after you've finished. Get your copy today and uncover the secrets that lurk in the shadows!

"Street Tales" by Joseph Miller
Now available on Amazon Kindle and paperback.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0D94X4F8Q



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Adventure Awaits— AFTER DARK
 
 Take a journey through mysterious clues, unexpected romance, and heart-pounding action. In After Dark, every object tells a story, and Detective Jack Dark and Emily Harper are ready to discover them all.

AFTER DARK  by Joseph Miller
Available in Kindle, Paperback and Hardcover
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CTHPSSTQ

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Coming Soon!

Christmas Dad Jokes by Joseph Miller
A little book,  with big laughs. 🌲️
From reindeer puns that are sleigh-in' it to snowman jokes that are just too cool, "Christmas Dad Jokes" guarantees a merry time for all.

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Please visit by my author's page to see what's new.
https://warlockpublishing.com/joseph-miller-author/joseph-miller


--------------- sponsor


KelDel Creations
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090364412851

Discover Unique Treasures
Celebrate Creativity

Come celebrate creativity with us at KelDel Creations! Our collection showcases the beauty of handmade crafts, from crochet wonders to fun fridge magnets. Each piece is thoughtfully designed to bring a smile to your face and warmth to your heart.

We invite you to support local artisans and discover unique items that you won't find anywhere else. Visit us at the craft fair at the Ball and Socket Arts in Cheshire, Ct.  The fun begins from 2 pm to 6 pm on December 15th.  

Be part of our artistic journey!


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Feeling overwhelmed by the daily grind? It’s time to escape to Southington, Connecticut, where the only thing on your agenda should be enjoying the scenery! With scenic country roads that are so beautiful, you might just find yourself lost in thought—just make sure you’re not actually lost!

The apple orchards are perfect for picking, but be careful not to get too carried away; nobody wants to see you trying to climb a tree for the perfect apple! After a day of raking leaves that seem to have multiplied overnight, cozy up by a crackling fire with a mug of warm cider, and let the warmth wash over you—because nothing says “I’m on vacation” like sipping cider while contemplating the best way to avoid raking leaves again!


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A heartfelt thank you for visiting us this week! As we transition into late autumn, the world outside is a canvas of vibrant colors and cozy scenes. Picture this: a brisk walk through a park, leaves swirling around you like nature’s confetti. Just watch out for that one overly ambitious leaf that might decide to land right on your head—nature’s way of reminding you to keep your eyes peeled!

Once you’ve enjoyed the great outdoors, it’s time to hit the shops! November is prime time for finding those perfect gifts and maybe a little something for yourself. Explore the local artisan markets where you can snag unique treasures.

When hunger strikes, don’t miss out on that new farm-to-table restaurant that just opened. Their seasonal dishes are so good, you might just want to order one of everything—just don’t blame us if you need to roll out the door!





Please do write a comment.  You could, if you dare, ask me a question... Play Stump The Host!

Until next Thursday - THANKSGIVING DAY!!!
Happy November,

Joe Miller