The Miller Report 06192025

 Welcome to Miller's Mysteries blog, 

where the only thing brighter than the sun is the undeniable “cuteness factor” of the neighbor's goats staring longingly at our backyard BBQ! 

Our cats have taken on the role of official guards, ensuring no frolicking goats nab our hamburgers. This week, I'm ready for exciting Senior Center Shows, blockbuster AMC movies, and some competitive mini-golf—not against the goats, I promise! Let's just say, if they interrupt my game, their bleating will be my new motivational soundtrack! 

Cheers to sunshine and shenanigans!

Weather Forecast: Expect heavy showers across the Midwest, as rain clouds have teamed up to form an “inconvenience front” determined to ruin backyard barbecues nationwide. 

In a shocking development, scientists confirmed that plummeting temperatures can lead to the sudden appearance of “Freezie Zombies” that emerge when people forget to pay their heating bills. Stay inside, or you may find yourself gaming with the undead!

  • Across my Desk!!

Kale is so versatile ... it literally fits into any size trash can. 🥬

I got a new stick deodorant today. The instructions said:
Remove cap and push up bottom. I can barely walk, but when I fart, the room smells lovely.

Scientists Observed Oumuamua... And It Did the Unexpected
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yNGDoYlhBU

Mine grandson wended to prison sorely. He refused food, drink, and did curse at all, and began to throw things… After that, we NEVER played Monopoly again.

Those who wandered deep into the night came back changed, hushed with celestial knowledge they dared not share.  UFOs in CT.
Shadow by Joseph Miller
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3
“Call to me and I will answer you, and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known” (Jeremiah 33:3)

Hawk Ridge Winery, Nina and Joe with Gabe and Debbie.  Chat about grandsons and their girlfriends, nice breeze on the porch, and our cruizes.  We drank Smooth Landing Rose', and enjoyed chicken fingers, cheese, crackers, watermelon, chips and salsa, etc.

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  • The Reader
During a weekend getaway at a cabin in the woods, Alex found a quiet spot on the porch, the sounds of nature creating a serene backdrop. A steaming mug of coffee sat beside him, the rich aroma mingling with the fresh pine air. He opened Mindmyst Tales Blog on his tablet, ready to immerse himself in the enchanting stories. With a notebook and pencil in hand, he began to jot down ideas for his own writing, inspired by the beautiful surroundings and the tales unfolding before him. A small plate of fresh berries added a burst of freshness to his morning, invigorating his senses. As he read and wrote, Alex felt the weight of the world lift, replaced by a sense of peace and creativity. This retreat was exactly what he needed to reconnect with his passion for storytelling.  
  
  
 • Game of the Week

1    Percentage Problem: A summer camp is offering a special discount on tuition fees. If the regular tuition fee is $800 and students can receive a 15% discount, how much will students pay after the discount is applied?

2    Geometry Problem: A rectangular garden in a park measures 30 feet in length and 20 feet in width. If a walking path 2 feet wide is built around the garden, what will be the area of the entire space occupied by the garden and the path combined?

3    Work Rate Problem: It takes two workers, Alice and Bob, 6 hours to paint a fence together. If Alice can complete the job alone in 10 hours and Bob can do it by himself in 15 hours, how long would it take for Bob to paint the fence alone if Alice had left after 2 hours of work?

4    Algebra Problem: Jenny has twice as many marbles as Tom. Together, they have 60 marbles. How many marbles does each person have?

5    Consumer Math Problem: A store sells a pair of shoes for $120. Currently, there is a sale that offers 25% off the total price. If the sales tax is 8%, what will be the final price of the shoes after applying the discount and adding the sales tax?

 

 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story

The Stand

As the temperature rises, Michael, a talented chef, opens a pop-up lemonade stand in the heart of the community park, offering unique flavors like lavender-honey, jalapeño-mint, and blueberry-basil. The vibrant colors of the drinks, combined with the tantalizing aromas wafting through the air, draw in passersby, transforming the busy park into a bustling social hub.

People start to gather, each person drawn by a different flavor, but they stay for the warmth of Michael's friendly smile and the inviting atmosphere he fosters. Strangers share tables and swap stories while savoring their refreshing beverages, laughing as they discover new flavor combinations and engaging in friendly debates about which one is best.

As the stand grows in popularity, Michael introduces a “Flavor of the Week” competition, where community members can submit their own ideas for new lemonade blends. This simple initiative not only introduces creative flavors like cucumber-lime and peach-rosemary but also encourages local friendships to blossom, sparking collaboration among neighbors who never knew each other before.

Inspired by the connections made over cups of lemonade, Michael decides to host weekly community gatherings at the stand. Live music, games for kids, and shared recipes create an atmosphere of unity, trust, and joy. In the warm evenings, as the sun sets and laughter fills the air, the pop-up lemonade stand becomes more than just a place to grab a drink; it transforms into a beloved community cornerstone where friendships are forged, and memories are created, reminding everyone that even in the simplest moments, the essence of togetherness shines brightly.

-

As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in shades of orange and purple, Michael wrapped up another successful day at his pop-up lemonade stand. As he started to clean up, a sudden buzz filled the air, causing the hair on the back of his neck to stand up. He looked up to see a large swarm of black wasps approaching, their sinister bodies gleaming ominously in the fading light.

"Hey, did you see that?" shouted a nearby customer, pointing at the sky. "What are those things? They look massive!"

"I don't know, but they don’t look friendly," Michael replied, instinctively stepping back from the stand. "Everyone, stay calm! Let’s not panic; we just need to pack up and get to safety!"

Suddenly, a few of the wasps began to dive down, their long stingers glistening like daggers. "What the hell? They're coming right for us!" a woman shrieked, dropping her cup of lemonade as she took a step back.

"Get inside the tent!" Michael yelled, his voice laced with urgency. "Quick! If we all cram in there, we might be safe until they move on!" He pushed aside the flaps to the lemonade stand, beckoning everyone to crouch inside, heart racing.

Once everyone was packed in, the atmosphere turned tense. "What if they get in?" a teenager whispered, his wide eyes darting between the flaps. "I don't want to be stung! This is terrifying!"

“Hey! It’s okay,” Michael tried to reassure them, though his own hands trembled. “We just have to stay quiet and still. They might lose interest.” Just then, a particularly bold wasp squeezed through the gap in the tent, buzzing aggressively. Everyone screamed, and panic erupted as they pressed against each other in the cramped space.

“Are we going to die?” someone whimpered, their voice cracking. “Why are they targeting us? Do they smell the lemonade?!”

“Don’t panic!” Michael barked, trying to maintain control. “Wasps are generally more aggressive if they feel threatened. If we stay still, maybe it will leave!” But as if mocking him, the wasp buzzed closer, and a few gasps echoed around the tent. “Just—just cover your heads!” he exclaimed, bracing himself for what might happen next.

With adrenaline coursing through their veins, the group huddled together, heartbeats echoing in their ears. Terror painted their faces as they witnessed the wasp land on the counter just outside, its wings flapping loudly. "This is a nightmare!" a woman whispered, shoulders shaking.

Just then, the teenager broke the silence again, his voice barely above a whisper. “Michael, what if we make some noise? Maybe it’ll scare them away?”

Without thinking, the woman next to him shouted, “Are you crazy?! What if we make them angrier?” The conversation spiraled into chaos once more, and for a moment, Michael struggled to regain control amidst the fear and uncertainty.

“Alright! Look,” he said, steadying his breath. “Together, we’re going to stomp on the ground and clap our hands on the count of three. On three, okay? One… two… three!”

They all stomped and clapped, a cacophony of noise erupting from the small space, but the wasp only tilted its head as if bemused, undeterred by their frantic display. “It’s not working!” someone yelled, panic seeping back into their voices as the buzzing grew louder.

“Just hold on!” Michael shouted, praying for a miracle. “We can’t let fear win!” But resignation shadowed his heart as he realized the will to fight was slipping away. They huddled in fear, uncertainty hanging thick in the air, knowing that the fate of their evening rested on the whims of the pests outside.

--

Suddenly, amidst the chaos, Michael's eyes landed on a half-finished jug of lemonade sitting on the counter. A bold idea sparked in his mind. “Everyone, listen up!” he called out, raising his voice above the buzzing and murmurs of panic. “What if we use the lemonade to our advantage? Wasps are attracted to sweet things, but they can also be repelled by strong scents. If we throw the lemonade away from the tent, maybe they’ll follow it instead!”

With a mixture of fear and desperation, the group nodded, trusting Michael's instincts. They huddled close together, clutching the edges of the tent, preparing for one last-ditch effort. “On the count of three, we’ll throw the lemonade out!” Michael instructed. “One… two… three!” With collective determination, they helped Michael toss the leftover cups and jug into the air, watching in disbelief as the sugary liquid flew and splattered across the grass, creating a puddle that shimmered invitingly in the fading light.

To their astonishment, the wasps seemed to shift their attention, drawn to the scent of the lemonade filling the air. The relentless buzzing started to dissipate as the creatures eagerly swarmed towards the spilled drink, drawn away from the tent. The fear subsided slightly as everyone peered cautiously from their hiding spot, relief flooding through them as the immediate threat diminished. “It worked!” someone exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and hope igniting within the group.

Encouraged by the success of their plan, Michael took a deep breath and opened the tent flap wider. “Now’s our chance! Let’s get out of here while we can!” Carefully, they emerged, glancing around to see the wasps now feasting on the lemonade puddle, oblivious to the people they had frightened moments before. One by one, they stepped out into the cool evening air, basking in the feeling of freedom as laughter replaced anxiety.

As they gathered in the park, a camaraderie blossomed among them, forged through the shared experience of their unexpected ordeal. Michael, relishing the relief and safety, realized that the lemonade stand was no longer just about refreshing drinks; it had transformed into a symbol of resilience and community. The initial fear had brought strangers together, and as they exchanged smiles and high-fives, he thought that maybe, just maybe, the evening had turned into something far greater than the panic that had unfolded. They celebrated their victory together with a round of shared lemonade.



===========SHADOW
Far away from the city, there had been whispers of a cabin in the woods, where UFOs gathered like moths to the flame of forgotten dreams. A group of friends decided to test the rumors, armed with cameras and hope, but nothing counted down to the chilling night when the air began to thrum. The last recording showed starlit figures staring, their mouths stitched closed, conveying their message through echoes that sent chills through their memories. When the sun rose, only the cameras remained, replaying the harrowing truth of what became unraveled just beyond their grasp.
Shadow by Joseph Miller
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3

===========AFTER DARK
The Final Countdown: With a ticking clock and lives hanging in the balance, Detective Jack Dark and Professor Emily Parker race to solve a series of cryptic clues left by a serial killer. Each clue leads them deeper into a psychological game that challenges their intellect and courage. As the body count rises, they must confront their fears and trust each other implicitly. Will they catch the killer before time runs out?

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

============PITCH DARK
Get ready to immerse yourself in the shadows! "Pitch Dark," the latest collection by acclaimed author Joseph Miller, is set to captivate readers with 13 thrilling tales of mystery and romance. Each story weaves an intricate tapestry of suspense, leaving you breathless until the last page. Prepare for a journey where love and intrigue intertwine in the most unexpected ways. Watch for "Pitch Dark" at Amazon and your favorite bookseller—your next great read awaits!

Now available on Amazon Kindle
PITCH DARK by Joseph Miller
https://amzn.to/43WpBl2


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Visit and enjoy my Author Page 🍂📜 ♣️❤️♠️♦️
https://warlockpublishing.com/joseph-miller-author/joseph-miller
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============ sponsor

KelDel Creations
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090364412851

Transform Your Space with Handmade Charm
    Want to transform your living space or find a unique gift? Look no further than Kelly's booth at the craft fair! With an enchanting assortment of handmade items, Kelly offers everything from vibrant wall art to cozy textiles that add character to any room. Each creation is fashioned with meticulous care, bringing a warm, personal touch to your home. Kelly loves to connect with visitors, sharing her insights and inspirations that fuel her creativity. Plus, attending the fair means you're supporting local artisans while finding gifts that are truly meaningful. Visit Kelly’s booth to discover the charm and beauty of handmade artistry!

Southington Farmer's Market - June 27th




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Thank you for stopping by! 
I’m so grateful for your visit! Late spring roads painted with blossoms and greenery were the perfect backdrop for our time together. Sipping hot black coffee while chatting under the sun created a beautiful connection that I'll always treasure. Gathering around the fire pit, sharing laughter and warmth, felt like a perfect slice of life. The hot soup was made just for you, and I'm hopeful it brought comfort to your heart. And let’s not forget our adorable cat, who surely felt honored to be loved on all afternoon. Thank you once again; your stay meant the world to me!


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

Until next Thursday,    
Happy June!!! 

Joe Miller 🍻🍻 🦈️⛳️

Quick question
Why do we call it “taking a dump” when it feels more like we’re leaving a very confused guest in the bathroom? I wonder if the guest ever questions whether they should be waiting for dessert! It's awkward enough having conversations about toilet humor without a live audience!