The Miller Report 05012025

 

  Hello and welcome to my sunny blog!  🦈️⛳️⛵
  
  With the warmer weather, Southington has turned into a wildlife wonderland—complete with neighborly goats and my ever-watchful cats.
  
  The goats have taken to peeking over the fence, possibly asking for snacks, while my cats plot their escape to reclaim their territory. 
  
  It’s a real-life episode of “Goat vs. Cat: The Battle for Outdoor Supremacy!” Stay tuned for more antics from this quirky menagerie!



  • Across my Desk!!

I got myself a seniors’ GPS. Not only does it tell me how to get to my
destination, it tells me why I wanted to
go there in the first place.

Son: Daddy, do trees poop?
Me: Of course. That's how we get number 2 pencils.
      
There truly is more than one way to skin a cat, but the limited market for cat skins makes learning more than three methods impractical.

When the moon hits your eye like a big pizza pie, that’s amore.
When you swim in the sea and an eel bites your knee, that’s a moray.

Police have confirmed that the man who tragically fell from the roof of an 18th floor nightclub was not a bouncer.

A good woman stays by her man's side during bad times to tell him that none of it would have happened if he had just listened to her.


  • The Reader

 As dawn broke, Michele nestled into her favorite corner of the couch, a fluffy pillow supporting her back. She sipped on a hot cup of matcha latte, the earthy flavor invigorating her senses. 
 
 The sunlight poured in, illuminating her notebook and pencil, ready for her to document her thoughts. Mindmyst Tales Blog opened on her tablet, and she eagerly began to explore the latest stories. With each tale, she felt her imagination ignite, inspiring her own writing. 
 
 A small plate of fresh fruit sat nearby, vibrant and colorful, adding a refreshing touch to her morning routine. The world outside faded away as she immersed herself in the magic of storytelling.

 
  
 • Game of the Week

Problem 1: May Fair

The local high school is hosting a May Fair that will take place over three days. If the school expects to sell 250 tickets on Friday, 300 tickets on Saturday, and 200 tickets on Sunday, how many total tickets do they expect to sell over the three days?

Problem 2: Spring Cleaning Fundraiser

A group of students organizes a spring cleaning fundraiser in May. They have 8 houses to clean, and each house will take about 3 hours to complete. If the students work 4 hours each Saturday in May, how many weekends will it take them to finish cleaning all the houses?

Problem 3: Planting Trees

In May, an environmental club is planting trees in a local park. They plan to plant 15 trees each week for four weeks. However, they decide to increase their planting to 20 trees per week starting the second week. How many trees will they plant in total by the end of the four weeks?

Problem 4: May Book Fair

The school library is organizing a book fair in May, selling various genres of books. If they start with 450 books and sell 60 fiction books, 45 non-fiction books, and 30 mystery books, how many books remain at the end of the fair?

Problem 5: End-of-Year Exams

Students have their final exams scheduled over a two-week period in May. If a student has 6 exams and studies for an average of 3 hours for each exam, how many total hours will the student spend studying for all their exams?

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 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story

Springtime Shenanigans

As the sun shines brighter, a group of friends discovers a hidden meadow perfect for their spontaneous picnic, complete with homemade sandwiches and wildflower crowns. They sprawled out on a checkered blanket, giggles intermingling with the sweet scent of blooming daisies and the gentle hum of bees nearby.

Sarah laid out the sandwiches: avocado and tomato for her friends, and turkey with cheese for meat lovers. Matt surprised everyone with his famous chocolate chip cookies, still warm from the oven, while Lisa gathered wildflowers to weave into crowns, their vibrant colors contrasting beautifully with the green grass.

As they munched on their lunch, they shared stories of the past year—trials and triumphs from school, aspirations for summer adventures, and dreams for the future. When the conversation turned to their favorite memories, they realized how much this simple moment meant to them, a break from the rush of life, surrounded by nature and each other.

After eating, they explored the meadow, running freely among the wildflowers, twirling and laughing as they tried to catch the fluttering butterflies. With hearts full of joy, they made a pact to cherish these moments together, promising to return to their secret spot as the seasons changed and their lives continued to unfold.


Matt took a big bite of one of Sarah's sandwiches and dramatically exclaimed, “Wow, these are so good, I might just marry your sandwich recipe instead of going to college!”

“You can’t marry a sandwich, Matt! What would your future wife say?” Lisa said.

With a playful glint in her eyes, Lisa crafted the wildflower crown, the sun catching her tousled blonde hair and making it shimmer like spun gold. Her lips curved into a soft smile as she adorned herself with nature’s delicate blooms, each petal accentuating the graceful lines of her neck.

Dressed in a flowing sundress that danced around her sun-kissed skin, she radiated an effortless charm, drawing curious glances from everyone around her.

“She'd probably just be jealous,” Matt replied with a smirk. “I mean, it's a pretty delicious affair!”

Sarah rolled her eyes, “Only you would want to tie the knot with a sandwich. But if you do, I expect an invitation to the wedding. Hope there’s no other filling involved!”

Sarah stood in the soft light of the afternoon sun, her presence both captivating and serene. Her long, chestnut hair cascaded down her back in gentle waves, catching the golden rays and shimmering like a river of silk. A few rebellious strands framed her heart-shaped face, highlighting her warm hazel eyes that sparkled with mischief and kindness.

Her smile was infectious, a combination of joy and spontaneity that could light up any room—or, in this case, a meadow filled with friends. Today, she wore a simple white blouse tucked into high-waisted denim shorts, accentuating her figure while still keeping an air of casual grace. The subtle floral patterns on her blouse echoed the wildflowers surrounding her, as if she were an extension of the vibrant spring beauty.

On her wrist, she wore a delicate bracelet made of woven threads and tiny beads, each bead a memory of the friendships she cherished. As she moved, her laughter floated gently through the air, a melodic sound that felt like a comforting embrace. Whether she was sharing a funny story or lost in a moment of shared silence, Sarah embodied the essence of warmth and companionship, making everyone around her feel at home.

“Just lettuce and love, I promise!” he winked, causing everyone to burst into groans.

“Speaking of weddings, did you guys see that couple over there taking photos?” Lisa pointed discreetly to a couple nearby surrounded by pink blossoms. “They look like they’re in one of those cheesy rom-coms.”

“Are you saying we should have a dramatic photoshoot too?” Sarah suggested, striking a pose with her sandwich. “‘Caught in a sandwich’—a story of love and carbs!”

“Oh please, your modeling skills are worse than your sandwich making!” Matt joked, putting on a mock-serious expression. “I think I’ve seen more talent from a soggy piece of bread.”

Lisa chortled, “Now that’s just rude! If Sarah’s a soggy bread model, then what does that make you? A burnt toast comedian?”

“Touché!” Matt raised his hands in defeat, grinning. “But you know what they say: burnt toast has character, just like me!”

“More like bitterness,” Sarah quipped, chuckling at Matt's over-the-top antics. “At least a soggy bread enjoys life, floating around happily while you’re just… crusty.”

“Can we all agree that we need to start a support group for burnt toast, soggy bread, and crusty people?” Lisa suggested, half-serious. “Next meeting, we can decide our menu: charcuterie or casserole?”

“I’m bringing the chocolate chips, no matter what!” Matt declared, draping an arm around Sarah. “You think I’m missing out on any chance to eat cookies?”

“Only if you promise not to drown them in your romantic sandwich speeches!” Sarah said, throwing a wildflower at him.

As laughter echoed through the meadow, they all picked up their things, their hearts light and spirits high. “All right, team, time for a photo before we leave our beautiful picnic spot!” Lisa said, grabbing her phone.

“Say ‘soggy sandwiches!’” Matt shouted, striking a ridiculous pose with a cookie in hand.

“Soggy sandwiches!” they replied, bursting into more titters as the photo clicked, capturing the joy and humor of their friendship on that perfect May day.

With that, they promised to meet again for another picnic before summer, excited about the memories yet to come, and filled with giggles over sandwiches, cookies, and endless jokes—friends who knew that moments like these were truly the best part of their lives.

As the sun began to dip low on the horizon, casting a golden glow over the meadow, they packed up their picnic, knowing they had created a memory that would last a lifetime—one marked by friendship, cackles, and the beauty of a spontaneous day.



===========SHADOW
The Abductor in the Fields
While investigating reports of glowing orbs hovering over his farm, Harold stumbled upon a figure draped in darkness, its eyes absorbing the moonlight. Terrified, he fled, but a strange compulsion pulled him back, heart pounding as he beheld that haunting gaze draw nearer. The next day, search parties found nothing but trampled grass and his unfinished crop circles. When midnight fell, his silhouette joined the extraterrestrial entities above, forever tethered to the void.  
SHADOW by Joseph Miller 
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3


===========AFTER DARK
A Race Against Time: After receiving a cryptic message from a missing person, Detective Jack Dark and Professor Emily Parker embark on a race against time to uncover the truth. Their investigation leads them to a secret society with ties to powerful individuals who will stop at nothing to protect their secrets. With danger lurking at every turn, Jack and Emily must rely on their wits and each other. Will they expose the conspiracy before it consumes them?

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

Your Next Favorite Thing Awaits
    Something special is waiting for you at my booth at the craft fair! I’ve poured my heart into creating a collection of unique items that are just waiting to be discovered. Whether you’re looking for something functional, decorative, or just plain fun, I have a variety of options to choose from. I’d love to help you find your next favorite thing and share the stories behind each creation. Come visit me, and let’s make your day a little brighter with handmade treasures!

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


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Thank you for taking the time to visit! 

The early spring roads were a lovely journey, leading you to my door and filling my home with light and giggles. Sharing hot black coffee together was a delightful way to connect and unwind after the drive. The warmth of the fireplace wrapped around us like a cozy blanket, creating the perfect backdrop for our conversations. 

Enjoying hot soup was a comforting reminder of the simple pleasures in life we often take for granted. Don’t forget to give your snuggling cat some extra love when you return home; they’ve been eagerly waiting for your company! Until we meet again, may your heart be filled with warmth and happiness.

 

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

Until next Thursday,    
Have a great month of May!!! 

Joe Miller 🍻🍻 🦈️⛳️

Quick question

If you could only eat one food for the rest of your life, what would it be? And how long until you start dreaming about broccoli?