The Miller Report 02062025

 ❤️ Welcome to the Frosty Blog!

  Winter is here, and Southington is dressed in its finest snow attire! As you settle in, don’t be surprised if our neighbor's goats start peeking through the window, hoping to join your cozy reading session.

Our cats, on the other hand, are staunchly against any goat shenanigans; they’re convinced that the goats are secretly planning a takeover of the living room. “Not while I’m on duty!” one cat seems to say, puffing up its fur.

So, wrap yourself in a blanket, and let’s dive into the frosty fun of winter together!❤️

  • Across my Desk!!

The answer is 42.  That's the number of research monkeys that have escaped in SC.  Questions remain:  what kind of monkeys?  and, what research?  Have they found those monkeys, yet?
In related news, Man Confronts "Tall Beings" In South Carolina?  

Never buy New Batteries! Just use this Trick and Old Batteries can be Reused
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97UcdW8KuxE
30 minute soak in salt water.
wd 40/sandpaper  to clean any corrosion


I went to Google and typed: SHADOW by Joseph Miller.  Holy crap!!  I'm at the top of the list.
Shadow   about the author
https://suno.com/song/481c399a-0d12-4f88-be79-1393274bb37a

This season's Super Bowl contenders:
the Chiefs vs. the Eagles.  No pool for me this year.


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  • The Reader 

In the late afternoon, the park was alive with the sounds of laughter and children playing. Marilyn found a quiet bench under a sprawling oak tree, her backpack resting beside her. She pulled out a chilled bottle of sparkling water and a small container of mixed berries, enjoying the refreshing taste. As she opened the Mindmyst Tales Blog on her laptop, the sunlight danced on the keyboard, creating a perfect reading atmosphere. With each word, she felt more connected to the world within the story.


 • Game of the Week --- your chance to win a prize ... grab your pencil and a bit of paper, and a snack.

Hot Chocolate Stand: Lily sets up a hot chocolate stand during a winter festival. She sells cups of hot chocolate for $2 each. If she sells 15 cups on Saturday and 20 cups on Sunday, how much money does she make in total over the weekend? If she spends $25 on supplies, how much profit does she earn?


 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story

Chasing Shadows
by Joe Miller

Jasper Quinn’s heart raced as he stepped into the dimly lit hallway, the familiar creak of the floorboards echoing his unease. The half-played chess game on the kitchen table caught his eye, the pieces frozen in a tense standoff. It was a game he often played with his younger sister, Lila, who had a knack for strategy that rivaled his own. But the absence of her laughter and the warmth of her presence sent a chill down his spine. He moved through the house, each room a stark reminder of her absence. The air felt heavy, as if the walls themselves were holding their breath, waiting for a revelation.

As he reached the bedrooms, the reality of the situation sank in deeper. The neatly made bed in Lila’s room stood as a stark contrast to the disarray of his own—his clothes scattered and his suitcase still open, a testament to his recent case that had kept him away for far too long. But it was the empty hangers in her closet and the missing suitcases that twisted the knife of dread in his gut. Where could she have gone? Was she taken, or had she left willingly? Jasper felt the weight of unanswered questions pressing on him, each one more disturbing than the last. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was not just a simple case of her moving out; something far more sinister was at play, and he needed to uncover the truth before it was too late.

Jasper took a deep breath, forcing himself to focus. He couldn't afford to let panic cloud his judgment. The first step was to gather clues. He moved to Lila's desk, its surface cluttered with books and papers. As he rifled through the mess, a small notebook caught his eye. It was worn, the edges frayed, and it seemed out of place among the neatly stacked textbooks.

Flipping it open, he discovered a series of hastily scribbled notes. They were filled with Lila's handwriting—familiar, yet frantic. The entries ranged from mundane diary entries about her day at school to cryptic phrases: “The shadows are watching,” “Trust no one,” and “Find the key.” Jasper's heart raced as he read the last line, underlined multiple times: “The truth lies beneath the surface.”

What did she mean? He scanned the room, his eyes landing on the floor. Beneath the bed, he noticed a loose floorboard. Kneeling down, he pried it open and found a small metal key, rusted but intact. It felt heavy in his palm, and a rush of adrenaline surged through him. This was a sign—Lila had left something behind, something important.

With the key securely in his pocket, Jasper moved to the living room, where he spotted Lila's favorite box of old trinkets. She had always been fascinated by the past, collecting oddities and memories. As he sifted through the items, he found a small, intricately carved wooden box that he had seen her admiring in an antique shop weeks before. It had a lock but no key.

Could this be the box she was referencing? He held the key up to the light, its shape matching perfectly with the lock. With trembling hands, he inserted the key and turned it. The lock clicked open, and he slowly lifted the lid. Inside, he discovered a collection of photographs, each one depicting Lila with a group of friends, their faces obscured by shadows. But one photo stood out—a picture of a dilapidated building with the words “The Old Mill” scrawled on the back.

Jasper felt a chill run down his spine. The Old Mill was a local legend, rumored to be haunted and a place where strange occurrences had been reported over the years. It was also a spot Lila had often mentioned in passing; she was drawn to its mystery.

With a sense of urgency, Jasper grabbed the photo and headed for the door. He had no time to waste. If Lila had gone to the Old Mill, he needed to follow her trail before it was too late.

As he stepped outside, the sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the street. The air was thick with tension, and Jasper’s instincts screamed at him to hurry. He jumped into his car, the engine roaring to life as he sped down the winding road toward the mill. The fading light painted the sky in hues of orange and purple, but all he could think about was finding Lila and uncovering the truth behind her cryptic messages.

The journey felt endless, each passing moment heightening his anxiety. What had she uncovered that made her feel the need to leave so suddenly? And who were the shadows she mentioned? As he approached the mill, its silhouette loomed ominously against the twilight sky, a foreboding reminder of the secrets it held.

Jasper parked his car and stepped out, the crunch of gravel beneath his feet echoing in the stillness. He took a deep breath, steeling himself for whatever lay ahead. With the photograph clutched tightly in his hand, he made his way toward the entrance, determined to find Lila and reveal the mystery that had ensnared her.


As Jasper approached the Old Mill, a flicker of movement caught his eye. He turned to see a red van parked a short distance away, its engine still running. The vehicle was nondescript, but something about it felt off, as if it were waiting—waiting for him or for someone else. A knot of unease tightened in his stomach. He knew he had to be cautious; whatever was happening here was bigger than he had anticipated.

He crept closer, the shadows deepening around him. The mill loomed ahead, its decaying structure whispering secrets of the past. The door creaked ominously as he pushed it open, stepping into the dark interior. Dust motes danced in the shafts of fading light that filtered through broken windows. He could hear the faint sound of water dripping somewhere in the distance, a constant reminder of the decay that surrounded him.

“Lila!” he called out, his voice echoing through the empty space. Silence enveloped him, thick and oppressive. He took a step further inside, scanning the room for any sign of her. His heart raced as he thought of the photographs—had she found something that put her in danger?

Suddenly, he heard a noise from the upper level of the mill—a soft thud followed by muffled voices. Jasper’s instincts kicked in. He moved stealthily toward a staircase at the back, his breath quickening with each step. As he ascended, he could hear the voices more clearly, rising and falling in a heated exchange.

“—you shouldn’t have come here, Lila!” a male voice hissed.

“I had to find out the truth! You can’t keep me from it!” Lila’s voice was defiant, but it trembled with fear.

Jasper’s heart sank. He hurried up the last few steps and peeked around the corner. What he saw made his blood run cold. Lila was cornered against a wall, her eyes wide with fear, facing two men. One was tall and muscular, his face obscured by a hood, while the other, a wiry figure with a menacing grin, held a flashlight that illuminated Lila's terrified expression.

“Let her go!” Jasper shouted, stepping into the open, adrenaline surging through him.

The men turned, surprise flickering across their faces. Lila’s eyes widened in recognition, and relief washed over her features. “Jasper!” she cried.

“Get away from her!” he repeated, taking a step closer. The men exchanged glances, and Jasper could see the tension in their posture. They weren’t just thugs; they were dangerous.

The muscular man laughed, a low, threatening sound that echoed in the empty space. “You think you can just waltz in here and save the day? You have no idea what you're getting into.”

“I know enough,” Jasper shot back, his voice steady despite the fear clawing at him. “I’m not letting you hurt her.”

Before he could react, the wiry man lunged at him, a knife glinting in the dim light. Jasper sidestepped, grabbing the man’s wrist and twisting it, forcing the knife to clatter to the ground. The muscular man rushed forward, and Jasper barely had time to brace himself before they collided.

The two men grappled, each struggling for control. Jasper’s training as a former journalist had never prepared him for a fight like this, but instinct kicked in. He landed a punch to the man’s gut, causing him to stumble back. In that moment, Jasper turned to check on Lila.

“Get out of here!” he shouted, but she stood frozen, fear etched on her face.

“Go!” he yelled again, and finally, she turned and ran toward the staircase.

With renewed determination, Jasper faced the muscular man again, who was now furious. They exchanged blows, each hit reverberating through the old mill. Jasper ducked under a wild swing and countered with a jab to the man’s jaw, sending him sprawling against a nearby wall.

Just as he thought he had the upper hand, the wiry man reappeared, lunging at Jasper from behind. Jasper barely had time to react, but he managed to twist away just as the man swung a heavy metal pipe. It missed him by inches, crashing into the wooden support beam, splintering the wood.

“Lila!” Jasper shouted, trying to keep his focus on the fight while ensuring she was safe.

The wiry man swung again, this time connecting with Jasper’s side. Pain shot through him, but he fought through it, adrenaline fueling his resolve. He retaliated with a swift kick to the man’s knee, causing him to stumble. Jasper seized the opportunity and tackled him to the ground, pinning him down.

“Get off me!” the man spat, but Jasper held firm, his weight pressing down, ensuring he couldn’t escape.

Just then, the muscular man recovered, charging at Jasper with a roar. Jasper barely had time to react as he rolled off the wiry man, dodging the attack. He scrambled to his feet and grabbed the metal pipe that had fallen to the ground.

“Stay back!” he warned, brandishing it like a weapon. The muscular man hesitated, eyeing the pipe warily.

“Let’s finish this,” the man growled, but Jasper could see the fear creeping into his eyes.

With a newfound sense of confidence, Jasper lunged forward, swinging the pipe and catching the man off guard. It connected with a sickening thud, and the man collapsed to the ground, groaning in pain.

Breathing heavily, Jasper turned to find the wiry man trying to crawl away, but Lila had returned, picking up the knife that had fallen earlier. She stood over him, her expression fierce. “You’re not going anywhere.”

Jasper’s heart swelled with pride as he watched her take control of the situation. Together, they had turned the tide.

“Let’s call the police,” Jasper said, looking at Lila, who nodded, her eyes still filled with adrenaline.

As they stepped outside, the red van was still parked, but the danger had been neutralized. Jasper pulled out his phone, ready to call for help, knowing that together, they would face whatever came next. The shadows of the mill faded behind them, but the truth they had uncovered would linger, a reminder of the dark secrets lurking just beneath the surface.

As they stood outside the mill, Lila took a deep breath, her eyes reflecting a mix of fear and determination. “I found something in the old town records about a hidden stash of artifacts that were never returned after the mill closed,” she explained, her voice steadying as she spoke. “I thought if I could uncover the truth, it might shed light on the town’s history, but I didn’t realize how dangerous it could be.” Jasper listened intently, his heart swelling with pride for her bravery, even as concern flickered in his mind. “I’m just glad you’re safe now,” he replied, wrapping an arm around her shoulder, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead together.




===========SHADOW 

The Quest for Survival: Embark on a perilous journey for survival as we delve into the terrifying realm of UFO phenomena. With heart-stopping accounts and expert analysis, we dare you to confront the nightmarish truth that awaits in this unsettling book.
 
      Joseph Miller's "SHADOW" is a thrilling roller coaster of UFO encounters and government intrigue. Real stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Don't miss out! Available on Amazon Kindle, paperback, hardcover, and Audible.
      
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3


===========AFTER DARK
Heart-Pounding Romance: In "After Dark," the stakes are high, and the attraction is electric. Jack and Emily embark on a journey filled with hidden treasures and dark secrets that test their limits. As they navigate a web of intrigue, their connection deepens, complicating their mission. Will their budding romance survive the perilous path ahead?

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



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Please visit My Author's Page to see what's new.
https://warlockpublishing.com/joseph-miller-author/joseph-miller

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KelDel Creations
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Support Local Artisans
Join us at KelDel Creations and support local artisans! Our booth is filled with handcrafted treasures, from adorable crochet items to fun and functional magnets. Each creation is made with love and care, ensuring you take home something truly special. By visiting us at the craft fair, you’re not just shopping; you’re investing in creativity and community. We can’t wait to share our passion for crafts with you!




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Thank you for joining us today; your visit was a breath of fresh air! The cold, icy roads outside only made our gathering feel like a safe haven, a place to escape the chill. 

With hot black coffee in hand, we shared laughter and stories by the fireplace, creating a warm ambiance that I hope you’ll carry with you. The hot soup was just a small token of our appreciation for your company, a dish meant to comfort and nourish. 

Our snuggling cat, ever the charming host, couldn’t resist joining us, reminding us of the simple joys of companionship. As you make your way home, may the warmth of our time together wrap around you like a cozy blanket. We look forward to our next gathering, filled with more laughter and love!


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

Until next Thursday,    
Happy February !!!

Joe Miller 🌲️❤️
If we aren't supposed to eat midnight snacks, why is there even a light in the fridge? Is it just to tease us?