The Miller Report 05082025

 

 Greetings and welcome to my sunny blog!

The arrival of warmer weather means Southington is alive with activity—especially from the neighbor’s goats, who seem to think my yard is their personal playground.

My cats, ever the vigilant guardians, are keeping a close eye on these furry intruders from their cozy perch by the window.

It’s a daily drama of goat gazing and cat commentary that you won’t want to miss! Join me for a season filled with sunshine, laughter, and the occasional goat encounter!


  • Across my Desk!!


Apple announced it will spend 500 Billion dollars in the US to have their products
“Made in America”

How many Democrats💩 does it take to fix a problem...Nobody knows, because it's never happened 😂

Just learned the word for constipation in German.
Farfrompoopen
         
You are 100% human from your first moment of existence - fertilization.
You don’t become more human as you grow and develop - you are always fully a unique, individual, precious human life.         

Scientists have just discovered a fossilized dinosaur fart.
They say it's a blast from the past.

“deleted a terabyte of financial data to cover their crimes,” but “they don’t understand technology, so we recovered it.”
UH OH

If you saw a UFO and nobody believed you, would you still talk about it?


You can buy land, build a home, pay it off, and still lose it over property taxes. That’s not freedom. That's theft.


Sometimes when you cry, no one sees your tears. Sometimes when you are happy, no one sees your smile.
But Fart Just One Time.

The older I get the tighter companies are putting lids on jars.

I have been reading this book about marriage. It says to always treat your wife like it's your first date.
So after dinner tonight, I'm dropping her off at her parents.

Another Oumuamua discovered in Earth orbit! Not as huge, but just as mysterious!

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  • The Reader

During her lunch break, Lisa found a quiet spot in the park, the sound of birds chirping creating a serene backdrop. She spread out a checkered blanket on the grass, a thermos of iced herbal tea beside her. With her trusty journal and a vibrant set of colored pencils, she opened Mindmyst Tales Blog on her phone. Each story transported her to another realm, and she felt inspired to sketch her own characters and scenes. The warmth of the sun kissed her skin, and she took a moment to breathe deeply, appreciating the beauty around her. A granola bar provided the perfect energy boost as she indulged in her creative pursuits. Lisa smiled, feeling grateful for this little escape in her busy day.

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 • Game of the Week


1    Prom Planning: The junior class is planning a prom and has a budget of $4,800. They plan to rent a venue for $2,000 and hire a DJ for $800. After these expenses, how much money is left for decorations and refreshments if they want to spend the remaining amount evenly on both?

2    Graduation Garden: A group of students is planting a garden in preparation for their school's graduation ceremony. They plan to plant 120 flowers, and they have three types of flowers: roses, daisies, and tulips. If they want to plant twice as many daisies as tulips and 10 more roses than tulips, how many flowers of each type will they plant?

3    Field Trip Fundraiser: The school's environmental club is raising money for a field trip by selling handmade birdhouses. They sell each birdhouse for $25. If they want to raise a total of $1,200, how many birdhouses do they need to sell? If they’ve sold 30 birdhouses already, how many more do they need to sell?

4    Spring Sports: The school's track team has 20 members. During a regional meet, they qualify for the finals in 4 different events. If each event has 8 competitions and there are 3 events scheduled for one day, how many total competitions will the team participate in during the finals?

 5   End-of-Year Concert: The music department is planning an end-of-year concert. Tickets are sold for $15 each. If they want to raise at least $2,250 to cover expenses, how many tickets do they need to sell? If they have already sold 120 tickets, how many more do they need to sell to reach their goal?


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 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story


The Garden

As the golden sunlight poured through the soft canopy of leaves above, Emma stood in her backyard, inhaling the intoxicating fragrance of blooming flowers that danced on the gentle breeze. The air was alive with the cheerful chatter of busy bees, weaving in and out of the vibrant daisies that bordered her yard—nature’s melody inspiring her heart. With a spark of determination igniting within her, she decided that this sun-kissed patch of earth would soon become her secret garden, a sanctuary for nurturing her dreams. Armed with a trowel in one hand and a handful of colorful seed packets in the other, she envisioned a world of blossoms that would mirror her aspirations, each petal blossoming like her ever-growing ambitions. As she knelt down, feeling the warmth of the soil beneath her fingers, Emma knew that with each seed she planted, she was sowing hope and joy right alongside the vibrant daisies—her dreams finally taking root.


--

Just as Emma tucked the last seed into the rich earth, she heard the familiar sound of laughter wafting through the air. It wasn't long before her best friend, Lily, came skipping down the path, her ponytail bobbing energetically behind her. “Emma! I could smell the flowers from two streets away!” Lily exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Really? It’s just the daisies for now, but they’re going to be beautiful!” Emma replied, wiping her hands on her shorts and standing up to greet Lily with a warm hug. The warmth of the sun felt delightful on their skin as they moved into the cozy retreat that Emma was creating.

“Let me help!” Lily said eagerly, pulling out a small bag of seeds from her own pocket. “I brought some sunflower seeds! They’ll grow taller than us if we plant them right here.” She pointed to a sunny patch beside the daisies.

“Sunflowers? That’s perfect! They’ll brighten things up and add some height to our garden. Let’s get to work!” Emma grinned, excited to share this project with her friend. Together, they began digging small holes in the soil, exchanging cheerful banter and stories as they worked.

“Remember last summer when we tried to build that treehouse?” Lily laughed, recalling their ambitious yet unsuccessful endeavor. “We spent hours up in that tree, and we ended up with more splinters than wood!”

“Oh, I’ve never forgotten!” Emma chuckled. “And the way we convinced your little brother to help us carry the lumber just to see him climb up and get stuck! I thought your mom would have a heart attack!”

“Good times,” Lily said, shaking her head with a smile. “But I can’t believe we thought we could build something without any tools! At least this time we have our seeds, and we actually know how to plant them!”

They both laughed, the sound flowing through the garden, harmonizing with the whispering leaves above them. As they planted the sunflowers, their conversation shifted toward their dreams for the future.

“Do you remember when we used to talk about what we wanted to be when we grew up?” Emma asked, reminiscing. “I wanted to be an astronaut back then!”

“And I wanted to be a famous chef!” Lily shot back playfully. “Now, I’m not exactly flying into space anytime soon, but cooking is one of my favorite hobbies. Maybe I can create some gourmet meals with all the vegetables we’ll grow here!”

“It's a plan! Just don’t forget to invite me on your tasting adventures!” Emma laughed, envisioning the beautiful salads and dishes that could come from their little garden.

As they finished planting the last seeds, a gentle breeze swept through the yard, playing with their hair and wrapping them in a shared sense of accomplishment. Lily looked at Emma with a grin and said, “You know, this garden is going to be our little slice of paradise. It will represent all our dreams and memories together.”

“Absolutely! And every time we see these flowers bloom, we’ll remember that we can accomplish anything we put our minds to,” Emma replied, her heart swelling with joy at the thought of how their friendship and shared dreams would grow alongside the plants.

They stepped back to admire their handiwork, their hearts full of nostalgia and hope for the future. The garden was more than just a place for flowers; it was a testament to their friendship, a growing canvas where they could cultivate their dreams together, one seed at a time.


--

Just as Emma and Lily basked in the satisfaction of their newly planted garden, their peaceful afternoon was interrupted by the sound of gravel crunching under heavy footsteps. They turned to see Mr. Hargrove, the neighborhood curmudgeon, making his way down the lane, his gray eyebrows knitted together in a permanent scowl.

“What in the world are you two doing?” he barked as he approached, a cane clicking sharply on the ground for emphasis. The girls exchanged nervous glances, both knowing Mr. Hargrove’s reputation for being the town's grumpy old man.

“We’re planting a garden, Mr. Hargrove!” Emma called out cheerfully, trying to dispel the tension. “We’re making our backyard beautiful!”

“Bah! Beautiful? You call that a garden?” He gestured dismissively towards the newly turned soil, his sharp gaze scrutinizing each planted seed. “If you ask me, all you’re doing is inviting trouble. Those flowers will only attract bees and bugs. What kind of racket are you creating with this nonsense?”

Lily frowned, attempting to stand her ground. “Bees are important for the environment, Mr. Hargrove. They help the flowers grow!”

"So you think a bunch of little insects buzzing around will attract all the neighborhood kids to your little circus, do you?” Mr. Hargrove replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm. “They’ll just see a mess! And I’m not here for your flower-silly nonsense. You need to keep that chaos in your own yard. Last thing we need is a neighborhood uprising led by a couple of children playing gardener!”

Emma felt a twinge of irritation swell inside her. “It’s just a garden, sir. It’s not chaos—it’s a creative project! Why can’t you be supportive?”

“Supportive?” he scoffed, raking a hand through his thinning hair. “You think I’ve got time to waste on a couple of dreamers planting daisies? You’ll see. One day, that pretty little spot will turn into a haven for pests, weeds, and all sorts of undesirable things. And when it does, don’t come crying to me!”

“Why do you have to be so negative? Gardening is supposed to be fun!” Lily countered, folding her arms defiantly, but inside, she felt a knot of uncertainty grow.

Mr. Hargrove leaned on his cane, a chilling smirk crossing his lips. “Fun? You think gardens are fun until the weeds take over. I’ve seen kids waste their time on hobbies like this, but believe me, all you’re doing is creating more work for yourself. Better go bother your parents instead of wasting your summer days here.”

His words felt like icy water splashing over their enthusiasm, and for a moment, the joy they had felt just seconds before was replaced by doubt. Emma stared at the ground, feeling a mix of anger and disappointment, while Lily's defiant facade started to crack.

But then, Emma took a deep breath, recalling all the reasons they had begun this garden in the first place. “You might think we’re wasting our time, Mr. Hargrove, but we believe in what we’re doing. Gardens can bring people together and create beauty. Just because it doesn’t make sense to you doesn’t mean it’s not worth it.”

With that, she straightened her back, feeling a new surge of confidence wash over her. Lily chimed in, “And maybe one day, you’ll even appreciate it too—once the flowers bloom and the garden grows.”

Mr. Hargrove’s expression hardened, but before he could retort, Emma and Lily turned their backs to him, determined to not let his negativity ruin their day. They resumed their work, digging and planting, the vibrant colors dancing in their minds despite the lingering coldness of his words.

Yet, as the evening sun dipped lower in the sky, Emma couldn’t shake the curmudgeon’s warning. Would their effort truly lead to chaos? Or would their garden blossom into something marvelous despite his stern disapproval? With a renewed sense of purpose, she exchanged a glance with Lily, who nodded resolutely, and they continued to work, their dreams still glowing brightly in their hearts. Together, they would prove that even the darkest warnings couldn’t extinguish their light.

---

As the days turned into weeks, Emma and Lily poured their hearts into the garden, cultivating not just flowers but a multitude of vibrant vegetables that would surely make even Mr. Hargrove crack a smile. They decided to take a trip to the local nursery, excitedly picking out seeds for fresh tomatoes, peppers, onions, and potatoes, along with fragrant herbs like basil and rosemary that would add flavor to any dish. “This is going to be amazing!” Emma exclaimed, envisioning the delicious meals they could create from their harvest.

Once back in their yard, they turned their focus to the vegetable patches, carefully laying out their plans. “Let’s put the tomatoes along the sunny side. They’ll thrive there!” Lily suggested, her enthusiasm infectious. They set to work, digging neat rows of soft, dark soil, knowing that these plump, red beauties would not only provide nourishment but also attract butterflies and bees to their garden, making it a lively ecosystem.

Next came the peppers, each color brightening the garden with hues of yellow, green, and red. The girls laughed as they teased each other about which color was their favorite. “I bet you can’t wait to make stuffed peppers!” Emma teased, nudging Lily's arm. “Only if I can convince you to help me cook!” Lily shot back, her eyes dancing as they nestled the seeds into the rich earth. The sweet crunch of fresh peppers suddenly sparked a vision of kitchen adventures ahead.

Once the tomatoes and peppers were planted, it was time for the onions and potatoes. The girls knelt side by side, carefully burying the onion sets just below the surface, picturing the savory aromas wafting through their homes as they roasted them for dinner. “We should plant the potatoes far out—think of all the mashed potatoes we can make!” Lily exclaimed, her eyes glowing with delight. They buried the small seed potatoes under a mound of soil, knowing these starchy favorites were bound to be a hit in their households.

With the main vegetables in place, they turned their attention to herbs. They saved a cozy corner of the garden just for them, mixing bright green basil and aromatic rosemary together, dotted with sprigs of parsley and chives. “These will make our dishes so much more flavorful!” Emma said, inhaling the fragrant scents that wafted from their freshly planted herbs. They lovingly watered each herb bush, knowing these little beauties would add a splash of freshness and charm to their garden.

As the weeks passed, Emma and Lily took turns caring for the garden, watering and weeding, noticing the sprouting vegetables beginning to peek through the earth. With each passing day, they giggled and chattered while the plants grew taller, eagerly anticipating the harvest and envisioning backyard feasts filled with vibrant salads and delicious dishes. The garden not only became a project of growth but also a lifestyle for them, teaching them the virtues of patience and nurturing.

Then one day, as they tended to their budding vegetables, they spotted Mr. Hargrove making his way down the street again. This time, instead of narrowing his eyes in judgment, he paused, his curiosity piqued by the lively colors blooming in their garden. Seeing the tomatoes, peppers, and herbs thriving, they held their breaths, hoping to catch a flicker of approval in his expression. As the light caught the greenery, Mr. Hargrove finally spoke up, his tone begrudging yet less harsh. “I must admit, that's quite a lot of produce you’ve got there. It seems you girls have turned that chaos into something worth seeing.”

Emma and Lily exchanged glances filled with surprise and delight. "Thank you, Mr. Hargrove!" they chimed in unison, feeling a rush of pride for their hard work. Perhaps, with this blossoming garden at their backs, they could also win over the grumpy neighbor, one row of vegetables at a time. They hoped he might even join them for a taste of their fresh harvest one day, proving to him just how beautiful a little creativity and determination could truly be.

As the sun began to set, casting a warm glow over the flourishing garden, Emma and Lily felt a sense of fulfillment deeper than they had anticipated. Their once-simple project had transformed into a vibrant tapestry of life, friendship, and resilience, proving to them that dreams could blossom with care and dedication. Embracing the unexpected approval from Mr. Hargrove, they realized that even the most unlikely connections could blossom into something beautiful. With every ripe vegetable they harvested, they not only nourished themselves but also cultivated a sense of community, drawing neighbors closer in shared delight and culinary adventures. In that flourishing garden, Emma and Lily stumbled upon a profound truth: together, they could grow not just a garden, but a lasting legacy of hope, connection, and the power of dreams.






===========SHADOW
The Watchers at the Ridge
Camping with friends at Mystic Ridge, laughter turned to cacophony as a blinding light engulfed them, freezing their bewildered screams. One by one, they were beckoned by mysterious figures, their mouths moving as if whispering secrets only the cosmos understood. By the time dawn pierced the trees, only the forest remained, echoing with snippets of forgotten laughter. The glow returned each night, the remaining friends now eternally drawn to the cosmos, bodies left as husks.
Shadow by Joseph Miller.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3


===========AFTER DARK
The Enigmatic Artifact: When an ancient artifact resurfaces, Detective Jack Dark and Professor Emily Parker are drawn into a thrilling chase that spans continents. As they decipher clues and face relentless adversaries, they must unlock the artifact's secrets before it falls into the wrong hands. With each revelation, the stakes grow higher, pushing their skills and trust in one another to the limit. Can they navigate the treacherous waters of greed and betrayal?

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


============PITCH DARK
Love and mystery collide in "Pitch Dark"! Join Joseph Miller as he unveils his latest collection, featuring 13 enchanting tales that promise to keep you on the edge of your seat. With his knack for weaving suspenseful narratives, Miller explores the complexities of relationships and the secrets that can tear them apart. Each story is a thrilling journey into the unknown, filled with unexpected twists and passionate encounters. Don’t miss the chance to grab "Pitch Dark" at Amazon and your favorite bookstore!

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


============

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




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    Step into a world of creativity at Kelly's booth, where every item tells a unique story! From beautifully handcrafted jewelry to charming home décor, you'll find something special for everyone on your gift list. Kelly pours her heart into every piece, ensuring quality and authenticity in all her creations. Whether you're looking for a thoughtful present or a little treat for yourself, her booth offers a treasure trove of options. Join us this weekend and experience the magic of handmade craftsmanship. Plus, every purchase supports a local artist, helping to keep our community vibrant and thriving. Don’t miss out on the chance to take home something truly one-of-a-kind!

May 10  Bristol Bazaar, Cider House


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I can’t express how wonderful it was to have you visit! The early spring roads were filled with promise, just like the joy you brought into my home. After our journey, there’s nothing quite like the first sip of hot black coffee to warm up and ignite our spirits. The gentle crackle of the fireplace created a cozy ambiance, making our time together feel even more special. Sharing hot soup brought us comfort and nourishment, reminding us of the beauty of simple moments.

When you get home, don’t forget to snuggle with your cat; I’m sure they’ve missed you dearly! Until next time, may your heart be as warm as the spring sun shining outside.



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

Until next Thursday,    
Happy May !!!

Joe Miller 🍻🍻 🦈️⛳️

Quick question
Why is it that we always feel like we need a nap after eating a big meal? Are our stomachs secretly working together to plot against us?

https://blog.reedsy.com/creative-writing-prompts/author/joe-miller/#