The Miller Report 05222025

 
 Hello and welcome to my sunny blog!
 
 Southington is basking in warm weather, and the neighbor’s goats have decided to make my yard their new hangout spot.
 
 My cats, unimpressed by this goat invasion, are staging a silent protest from the window. It’s a classic case of “who’s watching whom,” and I’m here for the drama!
 
 Join me as I share the hilarity of warm days filled with sunshine, goat antics, and feline frustrations!


  • Across my Desk!!
 
I saw two huge black birds in my garden this morning and they were stuck together.
Turns out they were  ... Velcrows.

Trump is using funds previously spent on housing for illegal aliens to build a national center for homeless veterans!

If you get abducted by a group of mimes, they will do unspeakable things to you.


Elephants
https://youtube.com/shorts/WPGRMmoPFb4?si=gJsbQwoHHIXbbAPe

Today's astronomy includes observing the sky with the Sun in Taurus, the Moon in Libra and in a waxing gibbous phase, and Mercury and Venus in conjunction. Additionally, comets 13P/Olbers in Auriga and 12P/Pons-Brooks in Canis Majoris are visible, with observed magnitudes of 7.1 and 7.4 respectively.

 
 

  • The Reader
  On a lazy Saturday morning, Hannah curled up in a corner of her sunlit bedroom, a cozy blanket wrapped around her. A steaming cup of chai tea rested on her bedside table, the spices filling the air with warmth. With her laptop perched on her lap, she navigated to Mindmyst Tales Blog, eager to explore the stories that had captured her heart. As she read, she felt her own creativity bubbling to the surface, and she grabbed a colorful notebook to jot down her thoughts. A plate of buttery croissants lay nearby, their flaky goodness adding to the indulgence of her weekend retreat. The outside world faded away, leaving only the magic of words and imagination. Hannah smiled, realizing this was exactly what she needed to recharge.
 
 
 • Game of the Week

    The Haunted House Dimensions: A group of students is organizing a haunted house for a May fundraiser. The haunted house is in the shape of a rectangular prism, measuring 12 feet in height, 10 feet in width, and 15 feet in length. If they plan to paint all the walls but disregard the ceiling and floor, how many square feet do they need to paint?

    Ghostly Probability: In the school library, there are 20 spooky books about ghosts, ghouls, and hauntings. If Sarah randomly selects 5 books from the shelf without replacement, what is the probability that all 5 books are about ghosts? Assume there are 8 ghost books among the 20.

    The Phantom Field Trip: A class is going on a field trip to a haunted corn maze that spans an area of 6 acres. If one acre is approximately 43,560 square feet, what is the total area of the corn maze in square feet? Additionally, if 1 acre can fit 5 haunted decoys, how many decoys can the whole maze accommodate?

    Creepy Costumes and Budgeting: The drama club is spending $200 on creepy costumes for their May performance. They find two costume styles: vampire capes for $30 each and witch hats for $15 each. If they purchased 4 vampire capes, how many witch hats can they buy without exceeding their budget?

    Spooky Skeleton Race: During the school's May Festival, there’s a spooky skeleton race where skeletons run on a track that is 400 meters long. If one skeleton can run the track in 2 minutes and another skeleton takes 2.5 minutes to complete the same distance, how much faster is the first skeleton than the second in meters per second?
 
 

 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story


The Artist

The sun hung high in the azure sky, casting a golden glow over the vibrant park as May burst forth in a riot of color. Petals danced in the soft breeze, and the air was alive with laughter. Isabella, a young artist with a keen eye for detail and a heart full of inspiration, set up her easel amidst the joyful chaos. She dipped her brush into a palette of lively colors, her fingers deftly blending the hues as she captured the spirited scene unfolding before her.

Children darted through the grass, their laughter bubbling up like a fresh stream, as they ran with colorful kites soaring above them like whimsical birds. Couples strolled hand in hand along the winding paths, their whispers and exchanges of sweet nothings punctuating the cheerful symphony of the day. Stray dogs chased after squeaky toys, while nearby, a juggler effortlessly tossed his colorful balls into the air, eliciting a round of applause from delighted spectators.

Isabella’s brush danced across the canvas, enthralled by the vibrancy of life before her. Each stroke breathed life into the scene—the radiant blues of the sky, the joyous reds and yellows of the kites, the green of the grass springing to life after winter's slumber. She felt a warm glow of contentment, enveloped in her creative world, until a sudden chill slithered through the air, whispering caution.

The park, once filled with light and laughter, seemed to dim as a shadow crept upon her. A figure, tall and cloaked in darkness, emerged from the thickets lining the park’s edge. Isabella’s heart raced, the joy of the scene fading into a heavy silence that swallowed the laughter. The figure moved closer, obscured by the dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves, their intentions unreadable.

As they approached, the chill deepened, and the joyful chaos around her fell away, leaving only her heartbeat pounding in her ears. The laughter of children transformed into distant echoes, and the blossoming flowers seemed to wilt in the sudden tension. The figure's face remained hidden, cloaked in a hood, but Isabella could feel a malevolence radiating from them like a storm gathering on the horizon.

Fear gripped her chest, her fingers trembling on the brush, paint splattering on the canvas in chaotic patterns that mirrored her racing thoughts. She stepped back, the easel swaying slightly, her eyes locked onto the figure as they came to a halt just a few feet away.

“What do you want?” Isabella managed to whisper, her voice barely above the rustle of leaves overhead.

In that moment, the park’s warmth faded into an unsettling stillness, and the once-vibrant colors of May dimmed under the shadow of uncertainty. She felt the weight of fear pressing down around her, a stark contrast to the joy that had filled the air just moments ago. The innocence of the playful day trembled on the edge of chaos, and Isabella knew she had to summon her courage to face whatever darkness had intruded upon her canvas of life.


Isabella's heart pounded as the figure stepped closer, the tension palpable in the air. "Who are you?" she demanded, her voice steadier than she felt. The figure paused for a moment, then slowly pulled back the hood to reveal a face etched with malice, eyes gleaming like shards of glass. "I am the shadow that haunts your light," they hissed, a smirk curling at the corners of their lips.

"I don't have time for games," Isabella replied, defiance rising within her. She took a step back, grasping the paintbrush tightly as though it were a weapon. The figure laughed coldly. "Games? This is no game, dear artist. Your world is about to change, and you’ll wish you had never crossed my path." The air around them crackled with danger, every instinct screaming for her to flee, yet her feet remained rooted to the spot.

"Change? I’m not afraid of you," she shot back, trying to summon the strength she felt slipping away. The figure lunged forward, their hand reaching for her paint palette, but Isabella reacted instinctively, swinging the brush toward them. The bristles splattered paint across their face, momentarily stunning them. “Back off!” she shouted, her courage ignited by the unexpected thrill of defiance.

Wiping the paint from their eyes, the figure growled, rage twisting their features. "You'll pay for that!" they snarled, lunging at her again. Isabella sidestepped, barely evading the grasp of their fingers, and in a flash, she hurled her palette at their feet. The vibrant colors splattered onto the ground, a stark contrast to the dark intentions looming before her.

"You’re nothing but a coward hiding in shadows!" Isabella yelled, adrenaline coursing through her veins. With each brush of paint on her canvas, she had always crafted beauty—now she knew she had to use it to defend herself. The figure recoiled, momentarily caught off guard. "You think this art can save you? I am darkness incarnate!" they shrieked, their hands curling into fists like storm clouds ready to unleash chaos.

“I will fight for my light!” Isabella declared, summoning every ounce of determination in her being. She lunged toward her easel, snatching a heavy wooden palette knife from her supplies. With a firm grip, she advanced toward the cloaked figure, fear transforming into fierce resolve. "You won’t take my passion or my life without a fight."

The figure sneered, inching back as they sized her up. "You think that little blade can stop me? You’re delusional!" Suddenly, they lunged again, but Isabella was prepared. With a swift motion, she slashed the air in front of her, forcing them to stumble back. "Don't underestimate me!" she shouted, her voice carrying across the remnants of a fading summer day. The battle had begun, and she refused to back down against the encroaching darkness.

-

Isabella felt a surge of adrenaline as the cloaked figure regained their stance, eyes alight with fury. "You think you can fight me with your pathetic art supplies? You’re just a little girl playing with colors!" they taunted, their voice laced with menace.

"I might be just a girl," Isabella shot back, "but I'm not afraid of you!" She tightened her grip on the palette knife, grounding herself in the chaos swirling around them.

The figure let out a chilling laugh, charging forward once more. "Then let’s see how fearless you really are!" In a flash, they launched toward her, dark tendrils swirling from their fingertips like shadowy ribbons, hungry to seize her spirit.

Isabella ducked, the tendrils slicing through the air where she had just stood. "You're going to have to do better than that!" she called out, her heart racing.

As she rolled aside, she threw a handful of paint from her palette, the colors splattering across the figure and momentarily blinding them. "You think that’s clever? I’m not some soft canvas for you to paint over!" They roared, shaking off fragments of vibrant hues like a wild animal emerging from a storm.

"Maybe you should have thought about that before threatening my light!" Isabella countered, charging at them with renewed ferocity. She swung the palette knife, aiming precisely for the shadowy mass cloaking them.

The figure barely dodged, their dark cloak billowing around them like smoke. "You will regret this, girl!" they hissed, summoning more of the dark tendrils that spiraled like snakes from their fingertips. "I’ll consume your color and drown you in darkness!"

Isabella’s confidence swelled as she twirled the knife expertly in her hand, channeling her fear into focus. "You underestimate the power of my art!" she cried. "Colors bring life, while you only spread fear!" With that, she drew a deep breath and thrust the knife toward them again, using the force of her motion to propel herself forward.

The knife cut through the air, striking one of the tendrils and splintering it apart. The figure gasped in shock as shadowy wisps dissipated into nothingness. "No! That’s not possible!" they shouted, disbelief etched into their features. "You’re just a child!"

"Then let me show you why children have the strongest imaginations!" Isabella shouted, her voice ringing through the park with defiance. With a sudden burst of creativity, she dipped the knife into a pot of vibrant red paint and surged forward. "This is for everyone you threaten!"

With a swift arc, she slashed again, the bright color slicing through the darkness that surrounded the figure, leaving a trail of vivid red in its wake. The figure screeched as the paint clashed with their shadowy form, illuminating their malevolence like a flare in the night. "Stop! You’re ruining everything!" they cried, stumbling back, disoriented by the burst of color.

"I’m saving everything!" Isabella countered fiercely, feeling the spirit of creativity filling her with warmth. She used the moment of their hesitation to launch herself forward again, the palette knife gleaming with purpose. Each swipe painted a vivid path, the blend of hues creating a brilliant spectrum that clashed with the encroaching darkness.

"You think art can defeat me? I am the void—you cannot paint over shadows!" the figure howled, rage boiling in their voice.

“I’m not painting over you; I’m bringing the light back!” Isabella shouted triumphantly, slashing through the last of the dark tendrils with a final, decisive motion. "Take this!" The palette knife pierced the core of the figure’s cloak, colors exploding outward like fireworks, banishing the shadows and flooding the park with radiant light.

With one last anguished scream, the figure dissolved into a burst of swirling colors, fading like a wisp of smoke. The park seemed to gasp with relief as light flooded in, illuminating every flower and blade of grass. Isabella stood panting, paint splattered across her clothes, a fierce sense of victory surging through her veins.

"Did you see that?" she breathed, looking around as the laughter and joy returned to the park with a renewed intensity. The children resumed their games, couples returned their laughter, and the sunlight danced jubilantly upon the scenery. Isabella had transformed fear into triumph, unleashing the vibrant spirit that had always been within her.

As she gazed at the remnants of the battle, she couldn’t help but smile, knowing that light always prevails over darkness—especially when put in the hands of a passionate artist.




===========SHADOW
It was just another quiet evening until shadows twisted through Sarah's backyard, leading her to an unexpected visitor hovering near her window. The creature smiled—a thing not of this world—inviting her to share a meal that no earthly taste could comprehend. By dawn, the smell of blood lingered in the air, but Sarah never returned to her home, instead wandering under alien skies, her laughter echoing softly among stars. Earth became a memory, chains of flesh forgotten.
Shadow by Joseph Miller
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3


===========AFTER DARK
A Web of Lies: When a high-profile politician is found dead, Detective Jack Dark and Professor Emily Parker are pulled into a tangled web of lies and corruption. As they sift through the evidence, they discover that nothing is as it seems, and everyone has something to hide. With each twist and turn, the danger escalates, testing their resolve and partnership. Can they unveil the truth before more lives are lost?

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


============PITCH DARK
Enter a world where nothing is as it seems! "Pitch Dark," the latest collection by Joseph Miller, features 13 gripping tales filled with intrigue and romance. With his masterful storytelling, Miller invites you to explore the shadows that linger in the corners of love and mystery. Each story promises to keep you captivated and guessing until the very end. Be sure to look for "Pitch Dark" at Amazon and your local bookstore—your next favorite read is just around the corner!

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 us at Kelly's booth to celebrate local artisanship and creativity! This craft fair is a perfect opportunity to connect with the stories behind each handmade item. Kelly creates beautiful, sustainable products that not only brighten your home but also make meaningful gifts. From elegant hand-painted ceramics to personalized accessories, each piece offers a touch of artistry. By visiting her booth, you’ll be supporting a local artist committed to eco-friendly practices. Plus, you’ll have the chance to meet Kelly and hear about her inspirations directly. Let’s strengthen our local community one handcrafted item at a time!
    
Southington Farmer's Market - June 27th


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I’m so grateful for your visit! The early spring roads were a beautiful backdrop for our time together, reminding us of the joy of new beginnings. Sharing hot black coffee warmed our hands and hearts, and the crackling fireplace created a cozy atmosphere that made our conversations even more meaningful. Enjoying hot soup was the perfect way to nourish our bodies and souls as we laughed together. Don’t forget to give your snuggling cat some extra affection when you get home; they’ve been missing your company! Until next time, may your heart be filled with love and joy.



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 🍻🍻 🦈️⛳️

Thought for the Week: Mondays are the start of the week, but for coffee, they are just a suggestion. If you think about it, coffee deserves its own calendar. It's not a real week until you've labeled at least three things as “urgent” while binge-watching cat videos. Embrace the chaos and let caffeine be your guide!