The Miller Report 05152025

 Welcome Miller's Mysteries Blog
 
 As the weather warms up, Southington is buzzing with outdoor fun, and the neighbor’s goats are leading the charge. They’ve taken to peering over the fence, perhaps hoping for a handout or just a good gossip session with my cats.
 
 Meanwhile, my feline friends are plotting their next move from their window throne, ensuring no goat goes unchallenged.
 
 Stick around for more sunny adventures filled with laughter and unexpected wildlife visitors!


  • Across my Desk!!

As a boy I could climb any tree and run for miles on end.
These days I steady myself before I fart.

Your fingers have fingertips but your toes don't have toetips.
Yet, you can tiptoe but not tipfinger.

I went to an antique auction yesterday...
Three people bid on me.

My wife thinks it's weird that I stare at the window during a heavy rainstorm.
It would be a lot less weird if she'd just let me in.

Drumming
https://youtube.com/shorts/Q1S39jXb_5U?si=dTuA6FEYIKWtqz8V

  • The Reader

As twilight settled in, Jake sank into his plush sofa, the soft hum of his favorite playlist filling the background. A glass of chilled lemonade rested on the coffee table, its refreshing taste perfect for the warm evening. He opened his laptop to Mindmyst Tales Blog, eager to dive into the latest updates. With a notebook in hand, he began jotting down ideas for his own story, inspired by the vivid narratives he read. The flickering candlelight danced in the dim room, creating a cozy ambiance for his creative thoughts. A small bowl of mixed nuts kept him company, providing a satisfying crunch as he read. Jake felt a sense of peace wash over him, knowing he had found a community that sparked his imagination.

 
 
 
 • Game of the Week
 
Problem 1: Enchanted May Day Festival
At the May Day festival, a wizard has a stall selling enchanted flowers. Each flower costs 5 gold coins. If a group of 12 fairies buys flowers and spends a total of 60 gold coins, how many flowers does each fairy buy if they purchased an equal number of flowers?

Problem 2: The Magical Garden
In a magical garden, a witch plants 3 types of magical herbs: thyme, basil, and rosemary. She plants a total of 150 herbs. If the number of thyme plants is twice the number of basil plants and the number of rosemary plants is 10 less than the number of basil plants, how many of each type of herb did she plant?

Problem 3: The Spellbook Gathering
During May, students in a magical school are gathering spellbooks for their end-of-year projects. Each student is required to present a minimum of 4 spellbooks, but they can share with others. If there are 15 students in the class and each spellbook can hold up to 3 spells, how many total spells can they collectively present if each student brings 5 spellbooks?

Problem 4: The Potion Competition
In a potion-making competition, students are required to create potions using three different magical ingredients. Each potion requires 2 ounces of ingredient A, 3 ounces of ingredient B, and 1 ounce of ingredient C. If a student has a total of 48 ounces mixed among the three ingredients, how many potions can they make without running out of any single ingredient?

Problem 5: The Wizard's Relay Race
A relay race is set to take place at the school's magical sports day in May. Each team consists of 4 wizards, and each wizard must run a distance of 1.5 kilometers. If the total distance for the race is 12 kilometers, how many teams are competing in the relay race?


 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story

The Great Neighborhood Bike Race

It was a bright Saturday morning, and the streets of Maplewood were buzzing with excitement. The annual neighborhood bike race was about to begin, and the competitors were making their final adjustments. Nine-year-old Max stood proudly by his bike, a shiny green machine adorned with stickers featuring everything from dinosaurs to pizza. "This bike is faster than a cheetah on roller skates!" he exclaimed, adjusting his helmet. “Just don't ask it to ride up a hill—cheetahs are flatlanders!”

His best friend Lucy, arriving with her trusty pink bike, rolled her eyes. “Max, if your bike was any slower, it would need a nap on the starting line. Do you think cheetahs take coffee breaks?” she quipped, adjusting her own helmet, decorated with sparkly stickers.

“Hey, no need to get jealous of my speed!” Max shot back, puffing out his chest. “I could win the Tour de France, if only they allowed pizza brakes!” Just then, their neighbor Mr. Thompson, a retired postman, wheeled out a bicycle made entirely of pool noodles. “Good luck, kids! I'm entering the race too!” he declared with a grin. “They say I’m the fastest letter carrier in Maplewood!”

The whistle blew, and off they went—Max, Lucy, and a motley crew of neighborhood kids pedaling furiously. “Don’t forget to wave to the nice ladies at the bakery!” shouted Lucy, whizzing past. “If we win, I’m definitely getting us some donuts!”

As they raced through the neighborhood, the landscape blurred by. Max yelled, “I feel like a rocket ship, breaking the sound barrier!” Lucy laughed and replied, “More like a slightly rusty lawnmower tripping over its own cord!” Just then, they made a sharp turn that led them right to the edge of the sparkling river.

“Whoa! This isn’t part of the route!” Max shouted, skidding to a halt. “We better check it out. Who knows, maybe we’ll find buried treasure or at least a couple of glittery rocks!”

Lucy looked at the shimmering water, then back at Max. “Buried treasure? Or maybe we’ll find a family of mermaids throwing a disco party!” With a shared burst of excitement, they jumped off their bikes and trudged toward the riverbank, where they spotted a shiny object partially submerged in the water.

As they got closer, they realized it was a golden trophy with “Best Bike Race Ever” engraved on it. “Guys, this could be a sign!” Max said, eyes wide. “We should claim it as our own and throw a victory parade!” Lucy grinned, “Or we could refund it back to whoever lost it… Sike! Who wants to do that when we can be legends?”

And just like that, they declared themselves the official champions of the Great Maplewood Bike Race, complete with silly arguments over who would ride the newly found trophy back. As they rode back to the neighborhood basking in their triumph, Max shouted, “Next year’s race is going to have a trophy too—maybe one shaped like a pizza slice!” Laughter erupted as they pedaled home, their hearts as full as their imaginations. The unexpected adventure turned a regular bike race into a legendary day, utterly unforgettable and bursting with joy, jokes, and a sprinkle of chocolate donut crumbs.



===========SHADOW
Beneath the Surface
Near a haunted lake, townsfolk spoke of objects plunging through its reflective waters, but those foolish enough to seek the truth disappeared without a trace. The water rippled, revealing shapes beneath, laughter echoing from the past. When a group of skeptics set out to debunk the legend, they emerged, eyes glazed and minds lost, whispering onlookers into the depths they could never escape. The lake remains still, a gateway to the other side, still waiting for the next unsolved mystery.
Shadow by Joseph Miller.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3


===========AFTER DARK
The Midnight Heist: In the dead of night, a priceless painting is stolen from a prestigious gallery, and Detective Jack Dark is on the case. Teaming up with Professor Emily Parker, they delve into the world of art theft, uncovering a trail of deception and intrigue. As they get closer to the truth, they find themselves entangled in a dangerous game with a cunning thief. Will they recover the painting and bring the culprit to justice?

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


============PITCH DARK
Unlock the secrets of the heart with "Pitch Dark"! Joseph Miller, the acclaimed author of "SHADOW" and "AFTER DARK," invites you to dive into 13 thrilling tales where romance intertwines with mystery. Each narrative is crafted to pull you into a world of suspense, where love faces challenges that test its strength. Prepare for a reading experience that will leave you breathless and longing for more. Watch for "Pitch Dark" at Amazon and your favorite bookseller—an adventure awaits!

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

Experience the Joy of Crafting
    Come visit Kelly's booth and immerse yourself in the joy of crafting! Kelly will be showcasing her latest collection of handmade goods, from intricately designed pottery to delightful knitted apparel. Each piece is a labor of love, reflecting her passion for creativity and dedication to her craft. While you're there, feel free to ask her about her inspiration and process—she loves sharing her journey with fellow craft enthusiasts. Additionally, she'll be offering exclusive discounts and giveaways throughout the fair. Bring friends and family to explore the array of colorful and unique items. Let’s celebrate artisanal work together!

Southington Farmer's Market - June 27th    
    
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Thank you for stopping by! The early spring roads welcomed you with open arms, and I was delighted to share my home with you. There’s nothing quite like a steaming cup of hot black coffee to lift the spirits after a long drive. The fireplace crackled softly, enveloping us in warmth as we enjoyed our time together. Savoring hot soup was a wonderful way to nourish our bodies while we shared laughter and stories. Make sure to give your snuggling cat some extra love when you return; they’ve been waiting for you! Until we meet again, may your heart be filled with happiness and warmth.



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
If you could have a superpower, but it could only be completely useless, what would it be? And how would you use it to impress absolutely no one?

May 15, 2025  Today's Zodiac
Sun Sign: Taurus
Moon in Sagittarius - Capricorn



  Joe