The Miller Report 04242025

 

 Welcome to the blog, where the sun is shining and the goats are plotting! 
 
 Southington’s warm weather has brought out the wildlife, and I’m not just talking about the birds—it’s goat season, folks! The neighbor’s goats have taken to staring at my cats, who are giving them the stink eye from inside. 
 
 It’s a battle of wills that I never asked for, but here we are! Join me as I navigate this warm-weather zoo right in my backyard! 


  • Across my Desk!!

Be decisive.
Right or wrong, make a decision.
The road of life is paved with flat squirrels 🐿️ who couldn’t make a decision.

Why does my wife always wait until I’m at the opposite end of the house before asking me to “Merm frner mernferr brnerfer!”?

BREAKING NEWS: Katy Perry has just stepped in a puddle, and is therefore now a deep sea diver.

A man walks up to a librarian and asks, "Do you have any books on Pavlov's dogs and Schrödinger's cat?"
The librarian responds, "It rings a bell but I'm not sure if it's here or not."

If you skip due process coming in, you shouldn’t get it going out!


  • The Reader
  
Under the soft glow of a desk lamp, Bob sat at his kitchen table, the clock ticking softly in the background. A cup of rich coffee, its steam curling into the air, kept him company as he dove into Mindmyst Tales Blog. 

He pulled out a notepad, eager to capture his thoughts and reflections on the stories that captivated him. The late-night quiet wrapped around him like a warm blanket, and he found solace in the words on the screen. With each story, he felt the weight of the day melt away, replaced by a sense of adventure. A plate of buttery popcorn sat nearby, the perfect crunchy companion for his literary journey. 

Bob smiled, realizing he had found a new ritual to unwind after a long day.


  
  
 • Game of the Week
 
 1. Spring Festival Planning
The local community is organizing a spring festival in April. They plan to set up booths for food, games, and arts and crafts. If there are 12 food booths, each selling 3 different types of food, and 8 games, each requiring supplies that cost $150, how much will the total cost be for the game supplies alone?

2. Earth Day Cleanup
For Earth Day, a group of students organizes a cleanup in the local park. If they can collect 250 pounds of trash in the first hour and they expect to double that amount in the second hour, how many pounds of trash will the group have collected by the end of the cleanup?

3. Baseball Team Fundraiser
The school baseball team is holding a fundraiser by selling boxes of cookies. Each box costs $10, and they hope to sell 150 boxes over the course of two weeks in April. If they sell 40 boxes in the first week, how much revenue will they need to generate in the second week to reach their goal?

4. Reading Challenge
During April, a reading challenge encourages students to read as many books as they can. If a student reads 4 books in the first week, 6 books in the second week, and 3 books in the third week, how many more books does the student need to read in the fourth week to reach a goal of reading 20 books by the end of April?

5. Gardening Project
In April, a class starts a gardening project in which they plan to plant flowers in a rectangular garden bed that measures 3 meters wide by 4 meters long. If each flower requires a space of 0.5 meters by 0.5 meters, how many flowers can they plant in the entire garden bed?



 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story


Blades

Dave stared into the dim light of his cluttered garage, a chaotic archive of memories tucked away beneath layers of dust and cobwebs. Today was the day he had promised himself to declutter and finally reclaim his garage from its current state of disarray. As he sifted through boxes of old toys, forgotten sports equipment, and half-used paint cans, something shiny caught his eye. There, nestled beneath an ancient bicycle tire, was a pair of bright red rollerblades.

A hint of nostalgia tugged at Dave's heart. He fondly remembered the summer days when he would zip around the neighborhood, feeling the wind rush past him like he was part of the world’s biggest thrill ride. Laughing, he pulled the rollerblades from their dusty hiding place, noticing the faded stickers plastered on the sides and the scuffs that told stories of countless adventures. "Why not?" he thought, an adventurous spirit suddenly ignited. After a few minutes of fumbling around to find his protective gear (because safety first, right?), he laced up the rollerblades and prepared to take them for a spin.

As he stepped outside, the sun beamed down on him, and the world felt alive with the chirping of birds and the scent of freshly cut grass. His driveway stretched before him, a smooth asphalt runway beckoning him to fly. Dave took a deep breath, trying to shake off the nervous flutter in his stomach, then pushed off with his right foot. For a glorious moment, he soared forward, gliding along like he’d never stopped skating. “This is going to be awesome!” he shouted, grinning from ear to ear.

But reality soon crept in as he remembered that it had been almost a decade since he'd strapped on a pair of rollerblades. As he picked up speed, his confidence transformed into a feeling he hadn’t expected—vulnerability. Just as he reached the end of the driveway, his left ankle wobbled, and panic coursed through him. “Oh no, not again!” he thought, recalling past tumbles. Before he could regain his balance, Dave found himself careening toward the trash cans lined up for collection.

Time seemed to slow down as he barreled toward the trash bins, his arms flailing wildly for something—anything—to hold onto. In a split second, he weighed his options, but clarity was a luxury he didn't have. With a tremendous “thud,” Dave collided with the trash cans, sending them tumbling like bowling pins. Cans of soda and leftover spaghetti flew into the air, painting an absurd picture of chaos all around him.

He landed in a heap on the ground, a mix of laughter and embarrassment bubbling out as he lay there, inspecting the damage. A couple of neighbors peered over their fences, stifling giggles as they witnessed the rollerblading debacle unfold before their eyes. Wiping tomato sauce off his chin from a rogue can, Dave couldn’t help but join in their laughter. “Guess I’m not quite ready for the rollerblading Olympics,” he chuckled, shaking his head.

After regaining his composure, Dave stood up, brushing off the remnants of his ill-fated glide. He stood in the midst of scattered trash, and for a moment, he felt a little foolish. But then, a grin spread across his face again. While he might not have been as graceful as he used to be, the thrill of that brief moment of gliding reminded him that sometimes, it’s the silly moments that create the best memories. With the sun setting and everything still intact (other than his pride), he promised himself more practice. After all, there were still many more spins waiting to be had—and he was certain the trash cans wouldn’t mind the company.


===========SHADOW
The Flickering Beacon
Every Saturday night, the town gathered at the park, drawn by the flickering lights cutting through the Connecticut sky. One by one, their gazes lifted in awe, unaware that shadows had begun to form beneath them. When dawn broke, only the flickering stopped; the townsfolk did not come home. Silence reigned, and laughter echoed in the darkness as they joined the luminous, otherworldly choir.
SHADOW by Joseph Miller 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3


===========AFTER DARK
The Haunting Case: When a ghostly figure appears at the scene of a murder, Detective Jack Dark is called in to investigate. Partnering with Professor Emily Parker, who specializes in paranormal phenomena, they soon realize that not everything is as it seems. As they unravel the mystery, they uncover a chilling connection to a decades-old tragedy. Can they confront the darkness that haunts the living and the dead?

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


============PITCH DARK
Are you ready for a thrilling ride? "Pitch Dark," the newest collection by Joseph Miller, promises to deliver 13 unforgettable tales that blend romance and mystery into a captivating experience. As you turn each page, you'll find yourself entangled in stories that explore the shadows of the heart and the mysteries of the mind. Miller's expert storytelling will keep you engaged from the first word to the last. Keep an eye out for "Pitch Dark" at Amazon and your favorite bookseller!

Available on Amazon Kindle, Paperback, and Audio
PITCH DARK by Joseph Miller
https://amzn.to/43WpBl2



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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

Join the Crafting Community
    Craft fairs are a wonderful opportunity to meet fellow crafters and art lovers! I invite you to visit my booth and become part of our vibrant crafting community. I’ll have plenty of handmade items for sale, but I’m also excited to chat, share techniques, and inspire each other. Whether you’re a seasoned crafter or just starting out, there’s a place for you here. Let’s connect and celebrate our love for creativity together!

May 3  Bristol Bazaar, Cider House
May 4  Sunday Funday, Camp Sloper, Southington


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Thank you for stopping by! 

I can’t thank you enough for your visit! The early spring roads were a beautiful reminder of the joy that comes with new beginnings, just like the happiness you brought into my home. 

Sipping hot black coffee together warmed us up and sparked delightful conversations that I’ll cherish. The fireplace added a touch of magic to our time, making it feel even cozier and more special. Enjoying hot soup together was the perfect complement to our laughter and connection, nourishing our hearts and souls. I hope your snuggling cat is waiting for you with open paws, ready to shower you with love. Until next time, may your heart be filled with warmth and joy!

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

Until next Thursday,    
Happy April !!! 

Joe Miller 🍻🍻 🦈️⛳️

Quick question
Why do we always assume that our pets understand us when we talk to them? Are we just hoping they’ll finally reveal their secret life when we’re not home?