The Miller Report 07312025

 Hey, sunshine seekers, welcome to Miller's Mysteries blog, where the goats are making their sunny debut and my cats are ready to put on a show of disdain! As I prepare to dive into Senior Center Shows and compete at mini-golf, I have a feeling I’ll be sharing my nachos with the bleating concerns of our neighborhood goats. They could really use some lessons in fine dining etiquette! Let’s relish the sunshine together and see who can entertain the goats better—my cats or my golf skills! Adventure awaits!



  • Across my Desk!!
I bought a little bag of air today... The company that made it was kind enough to put some potato chips in it as well.

A husband takes his wife dancing. 🕺💃
There’s a guy on the dance floor breakdancing, doing backflips — the lot! 😎
She turns to her husband and says,
“See him? 25 years ago he proposed to me and I said no.” 👀💍
The husband replies,
“Wow - and he’s still celebrating!”
...and that’s how the fight started. 😅🥊

What do you call a snowman that plays the piano/
Melton John.

Why did the hot chocolate file a police report?
Because it got mugged.

Yesterday I bought a world map, gave my wife a dart, and said, “throw this and wherever it lands I'll take you there."
We're spending 3 weeks behind the couch.

Just opened my water bill and my electricity bill at the same time...
I was shocked.

Behind every angry woman.
There's a man who doesn't know what he did wrong.

I'm getting totally fed up with people whining about the price of things - $2.50 for iced tea, $3.50 for coffee, $4 for a slice of cake, $5 to park the car. Any more complaining and I'm going to stop inviting people over.


  • The Reader
In the midst of a lazy Saturday afternoon, Gabe reclined in a sun-drenched reading nook surrounded by stacks of books. A tall glass of iced mocha latte sat beside him, decorated with a sprig of mint. He flipped open his notebook, excitement brewing as he prepared to explore the stories posted on Mindmyst Tales Blog. Sweetened with honey, the mocha’s earthy flavor combined perfectly with a piece of carrot cake he had saved from lunch. 

The sun peeked through the window, casting playful shadows around the room. Every sip ignited his energy, motivating him to dive deep into the blog’s narrative explorations. As he read, the world around him faded, leaving only the tales to inspire his own storytelling journey.  
  
  
 • Math problems of the Week

1    Hiking Distance Problem:
    The Scout troop is planning a hiking trip in August that spans 15 miles. If they split the hike into three segments of equal distance, how many miles will each segment be? After completing the first two segments, a Scout wants to calculate how many miles are remaining. How many miles are left to hike?

2    Pace Calculation Problem:
    A group of Scouts is hiking the Appalachian Trail at an average pace of 3 miles per hour. If they plan to hike for 4 hours on Saturday and 5 hours on Sunday, how many total miles will they cover over the weekend? If they want to make sure they find a campsite after every 10 miles, how many campsites will they need for the weekend?

3    Elevation Gain Problem:
    During a hiking trip, a Scout troop climbs from an elevation of 500 feet at the trailhead to an elevation of 1,200 feet at the summit. They then descend to a campsite located at 700 feet. What is the total elevation gain and loss for the trip?

4    Pack Weight Problem:
    Each Scout needs to carry food, water, and camping gear for a 2-day hike. If each Scout's pack weighs 15 pounds before adding supplies and they plan to carry an additional 10 pounds of water and food, what will be the total weight of the pack after the supplies are added? If a Scout can carry a maximum of 30 pounds, do they need to leave anything behind to stay within this weight limit?

5    Group Hiking Time Problem:
    The Scout troop sets out on a hike that is 20 miles long. They started hiking at 9:00 AM. If they hike at a speed of 4 miles per hour, what time will they finish the hike? If they take a break for 30 minutes after hiking 8 miles, how does the break affect their overall completion time?


 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story
 
Sweet Treats

On a sweltering July afternoon, as the sun blazed relentlessly overhead, Jake stared out the window, beads of sweat trickling down his forehead. Inspired by the extreme heat, he had a brilliant idea: an ice cream-making party. It was the perfect way to beat the heat and showcase his creativity in the kitchen. Grinning at the thought, he decided that his friends would love the opportunity to concoct unique flavors made with the freshest seasonal fruits.

Jake launched into his preparations, pulling out his trusty ice cream maker from the back of the cupboard, dusting it off like a prized trophy. He opened the fridge, surveying the colorful bounty of fruits he had carefully selected earlier that week from the bustling farmer's market. Plump strawberries, fuzzy peaches, tangy raspberries, and vibrant mangoes beckoned to him, each promising an explosion of flavor. He imagined the looks of surprise on his friends' faces as they sampled his exotic creations.

With excitement bubbling inside him, Jake sent out a flurry of text messages inviting friends over for the afternoon. He promised them an adventure of flavor combinations they had never dared to dream of. “Get ready for a taste sensation!” he wrote, envisioning how each scoop would delight their taste buds. The responses poured in almost immediately, filled with enthusiasm and eagerness, reaffirming Jake’s decision to host this cool summer gathering.

As the sun hung high, casting sharp shadows on the ground, Jake began his preparations. He meticulously chopped the fruits, setting them in bowls like a vibrant artist’s palette. The kitchen filled with sweet aromas, and even the heat seemed to dissipate as each fruit released its fragrant juices. With each slice of the knife, Jake envisioned flavor combinations—peach and raspberry, strawberry with a hint of basil, and frozen mango with lime. He felt like a mad scientist in a laboratory, ready to create his culinary masterpieces.

Once the fruits were prepped, Jake turned his attention to the essential ice cream base. He mixed together cream, sugar, and milk with a dash of vanilla extract, creating a rich, velvety foundation. As he poured the mixture into the ice cream maker, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of anticipation wash over him. The sound of the churner came to life, and he watched the base transform—slowly thickening and freezing into something wonderfully creamy.

Before long, the first guests began arriving, greeted by laughter and the promising scent of sweet summer fruits. Jake's friends walked into the cool kitchen, their eyes lighting up at the sight of colorful bowls filled with fruit and the ice cream maker spinning in the corner. He explained the idea behind his creations, and they quickly gathered around the counter, eager to join in the fun. Their energy filled the room, blending seamlessly with Jake’s excitement.

Each friend took their turn, choosing their favorite fruits and experimenting with different combinations. Laughter echoed as they attempted to challenge one another to create wilder flavors. Emma paired basil with strawberries, Adam opted for a daring mix of ambient chili with mango, and Jake himself couldn’t resist combining mint with raspberries. The kitchen became a realm of creativity, an orchestra of flavors coming together to create an unforgettable symphony of ice cream.

As the first batches finished freezing, Jake scooped the creations into vibrant bowls. They gathered around the table outside, where the summer sun begged for enjoyment. With eager hands, they tasted each concoction, their faces lighting up with joy and surprise. “This is amazing!” Emma exclaimed, enjoying the unexpected twist of her basil-strawberry mixture. Adam garnished his mango-chili ice cream with lime zest, declaring, “This should be sold in stores!” Jake watched with pride as they savored every unique flavor, realizing he had successfully crafted an afternoon of delightful memories and laughter.

-

Jake's friends leaned back in their chairs, satisfied smiles plastered across their faces. Adam looked around and broke the comfortable silence. “You know it’s so hot out here, I thought I was going to melt like this ice cream! I came for the adventure but stayed for the fact that I’m probably just one scoop away from becoming a puddle!”

Emma laughed, wiping a rogue drip of ice cream from her chin. “Well, if you melt, we can always churn you into the next flavor—Adam’s Slushy Splash! Who wouldn’t want to taste a little friendship?”

“Ha! You could say we’re really working on our ‘chillin’ skills here,” Jake jumped in. “But if it gets any hotter, I might just switch professions and start sculpting ice cream sculptures instead of just serving it!” He struck a silly pose, pretending to mold an ice cream masterpiece.

“Make sure you use that mint-raspberry combination,” Adam joked, “Because I want my sculpture to smell fresh while it drips all over the place!”

“Speaking of fresh,” Emma said with a grin, “how hot is it? It’s so hot that I saw a dog chasing a cat and they were both walking!”

Jake was quick to respond. “Oh, that’s nothing! It’s so hot, if you put your coffee outside, it brews itself into an iced latte!”

“Hot enough to fry an egg on the sidewalk, I’d say,” Adam chimed in. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a sidewalk that hungry!”

Emma scoffed playfully. “Please, it’s so hot that Mercury just called Earth to say, ‘Hey, chill out!’”

With laughter bubbling around the table, Jake raised his ice cream bowl theatrically. “Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the hottest ice cream shop in town! Our most popular flavor? Scorching Strawberry! Guaranteed to give you a sunburn just by looking at it!”

“Yum!” Adam replied, pretending to take notes. “I also heard about a new flavor—Fiery Mango Tango. One bite, and you’ll do the cha-cha straight to the nearest shade!”

Jake leaned back, feigning a dramatic swoon, “Just make sure to pair all your ice creams with a cool drizzle of ‘vanilla air conditioning.’ You know, for those particularly 'fans-astic' days!”

“Seriously,” Emma interjected, giggling, “with all this heat, it’s so hot that I saw a thermometer cry! What was it saying? ‘I can’t take this anymore!’”

Almost synchronized, they all burst out laughing. “Do you think we should call the fire department?” Jake mocked. “Or just set up a spa with these ice cream floats?”

“Perfect!” Adam grinned. “We could even turn on a fan while holding ice cream cones, and it will be our very own ‘Breezy Creamery!’”

“How about ‘Tropical Tornado’?” Jake suggested. “Guaranteed to blow your taste buds away!”

Emma grinned, allowing the moment to soak in. “I’ve never had this much fun melting with friends. I might have to make this a summer tradition!”

“Yeah, because we all know it’s hotter than a jalapeño in a sauna out here!” Adam exclaimed, and the group erupted into giggling again.

Sunset.  Jake raised his scoop to the sky. “To ice cream! May it always be colder than our summer days!”





===========SHADOW
In the sleepy town of Groton, an unusual storm brewed, swirling clouds twisting above as bizarre lights flickered ominously in the sky. Tornadoes cut through the landscape like knives, leaving destruction in their wake, yet the lights remained eerily undisturbed. Curiosity drew some brave souls outside to witness the strange spectacle, only to find themselves confronted by figures stepping from the shadows. When the storm finally passed, the townsfolk were left to mourn—those who had ventured out were gone, taken by the very storm meant to shield them.
    
SHADOW by Joseph Miller
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3
Grab your copy now to explore powerful testimonies that can guide you toward your next big breakthrough and understand what's going on.


============Space Tales 2
This anthology presents a collection of narratives that traverse beyond the physical boundaries of our world, inviting readers to confront fundamental questions about existence. Each story acts as a lens, reflecting different facets of humanity—fear, curiosity, ambition, and connection—highlighting how our experiences resonate even in the vastness of the cosmos. Through these tales, we are challenged to confront our own beliefs about what it means to be human in an expansive universe.

Space Tales 2 by Joseph Miller
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKHGKSL3
Get your copy now and immerse yourself in great stories that might keep you awake at night!





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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

Explore the enchanting realm of Kelly's booth at the craft fair, where creativity and craftsmanship collide! With an array of unique goods—each lovingly crafted and inspired by nature—you’ll find the perfect piece to brighten your home or gift to a loved one. Kelly takes pride in using eco-friendly materials and traditional techniques that honor the beauty of her craft. As she shares her passion for creativity, you’ll get a glimpse of the process behind her stunning pieces. Feel free to ask her questions or share your own ideas; Kelly is excited to connect with fellow craft lovers! This is a fantastic chance to discover something new while supporting sustainable artistry. Join us for an inspiring experience—you won’t leave empty-handed!

We'll be at the Southington Farmer's Market again on Aug 29th.  We look forward to seeing you again!!  Don't forget to ask for one of Joe Miller's great books.  it will be autographed.

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Thank you for stopping by! 
Thank you for making the trip to visit my blog! I loved the journey down those late summer roads brimming with life. Enjoying hot black coffee together reminded me of the simple pleasures we often overlook. I cherished our time around the fire pit, where we created memories that will last a lifetime. The hot soup was my way of saying you are always welcome here, and I hope it brought you comfort. And of course, having our snuggling cat join us made everything feel complete. Until we share another beautiful day, take care and know you’ve made an impact in my life!



Please do write a comment.  You could, if you dare, ask me a question, or be the first to send me a short, summer story! (500-1000 words). If I like it, I'll publish it right here in Miller's Mysteries Blog!
[send to mindmyst@yahoo.com]

Until next Thursday,    
Happy August!!! 

Joe Miller 🍻🍻 🦈️⛳️⛵🇺🇸️🌻

Quick question
Why do we never see a headline like “Man Breaks World Record for Most Pancakes Flipped in a Row”? It’s like pancake flipping is the next Olympics sport waiting to happen! And just think of all the syrup sponsorships that could flow in!


Weather Forecast: Expect a windy day as gusts flip umbrellas and ruin hairdos across the city in a fierce battle for “Flight of the Fashion.” Meanwhile, the International Space Station reported encountering “The Blushing Moon,” which is currently too embarrassed to shine properly due to its collective moonchild selfies. So, put on your shades and prepare to squint—today's forecast is squarely aimed at your visual discomfort!