The Miller Report 10022025

  Greetings and Welcome! 
Hello, sunshine, and welcome to Miller’s Mysteries blog! The neighbor’s goats are peeking over the fence again, while my cats are giving me that “why aren’t we outside?” stare. 
             
I’m looking forward to wandering through the Calendar House Shows and catching a flick at AMC, but first—coffee in hand, of course. Later, maybe a round at Hidden Valley mini-golf followed by patio dining at Smokin’ with Chris or the Back Nine Tavern. Adventure and laughter await, right here in sunny Southington!



  • Across my Desk!!

I was walking down the street and was hit by a violin, then a clarinet, then a French horn.
I think it was an orchestrated attack.


The Hunter’s Moon once guided hunters through cleared fields after harvest.
This year it arrives as a Supermoon on October 7, appearing up to 7% larger and even passing near Saturn for a rare seasonal spectacle.

After sunset on October 2, the bright waxing moon will hang among the stars of the constellation Capricornus the Seagoat. Capricornus is easy to see in a dark sky. It looks like an arrowhead! Just be aware that bright moonlight will blot some of its stars from view. 
https://earthsky.org/astronomy-essentials/visible-planets-tonight-mars-jupiter-venus-saturn-mercury/

Arizona Flooding: Intense flooding hit the state of Arizona, resulting in multiple deaths.

Airline Incident: Two Delta Air Lines-affiliated jets clipped each other at LaGuardia Airport, causing a minor injury to one flight attendant. 

Space Center Houston continues its operations, offering public tram tours and educational programs, though VIP tours are paused. 
Houston Chronicle


  • The Reader

  George claims the park bench outside his local library, notebook on his lap, pencil poised. The afternoon sun is mild, and he props his phone against his thermos of coffee. A sandwich rests beside him, forgotten once he opens Mindmyst Tales Blog. Each new line makes him scribble furiously, words tumbling faster than his pencil can handle. He laughs out loud once, startling a passing jogger. George just grins, lost in the moment. By the time the coffee is gone, the sandwich remains uneaten, and his notebook is alive with ideas sparked by the tales.
  
 • Math of the Week

1. Pumpkin Patch Pickings
Emily went to the pumpkin patch and picked 4 small pumpkins that weighed 3 pounds each and 2 large pumpkins that weighed 12 pounds each. Jack helped her carry them in two baskets that could each hold up to 20 pounds. How many baskets did they need?

2. Apple Cider Stand
Rick set up a cider stand at the Durham Fair. He sold 18 cups of hot cider at $2 each before noon, then doubled that number in the afternoon. If Molly spent $12 of her own money to decorate the stand with hay bales and mums, what was Rick’s total profit for the day?

3. Corn Maze Steps
Emily and Jack ran through the corn maze for fun. Each path section was 25 steps long. They went through 6 sections before finding a dead end, then turned around and retraced their steps. How many steps did they take in total?

4. Caramel Apple Treats
Molly made 24 caramel apples for a fall party. Rick ate 3 right away, and then 1/4 of the remaining apples were given to friends. How many caramel apples were left?

5. Bonfire Marshmallows
At an October bonfire, each person roasted 5 marshmallows. If Jack, Emily, Molly, Rick, Lefty, and Chantal were all there, how many marshmallows were roasted in total?


 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story

Lakeside Chili Cook-Off

On a warm autumn afternoon, Jack and Emily entered a lakeside chili cook-off, stirring a pot of smoky chipotle beef chili. Emily added a splash of cider for sweetness while Jack handled the spice. Just as the judges arrived, their propane stove sputtered and went out. Jack grinned—good thing he’d hidden a backup firepit behind the canoe racks.

Emily rolled her eyes, but her smile was wide as she grabbed a handful of cinnamon sticks from her tote and tossed them into the simmering chili. “You and your backup plans,” she teased, stirring the rich, smoky aroma that now mingled with the crisp lake air. Jack shrugged, flipping the lid on the firepit with a flourish. “Better safe than sorry. Plus, this way everyone gets a little extra warmth with their chili.”

The judges approached, noses twitching at the enticing scent, while kids chased each other around the picnic tables, pumpkin-colored leaves swirling in their wake. Jack handed Emily a ladle, and together they poured the chili into the waiting bowls, steam rising like wisps of a magic spell over the water. One of the judges frowned at a small smudge of chipotle on Jack’s cheek, but Emily just laughed, swiping it off with the back of her hand.

By the time the tasting began, the sun was low, casting long amber reflections across the lake. Jack leaned close, whispering, “Think they’ll like it?” Emily nudged him gently. “If not, they’re clearly missing the whole point of fall.”

A chorus of delighted “oohs” and “ahhs” filled the air as the judges took their first bites. Jack winked at Emily. “We might just need to come back next year—and bring more backup firepits.”



The sun hung low over the lake, warming the crisp autumn air as Jack and Emily set up their chili station. Jack fumbled with the propane stove, cursing softly when it sputtered and went out mid-boil. Emily, unfazed, pulled a small thermos of cider from her bag and added a splash to the smoky chipotle beef chili. “You and your over-preparedness,” she said, stirring the pot. Jack grinned, revealing a hidden firepit behind the canoe racks. “Better safe than sorry,” he replied. Steam curled into the cool air, carrying a delicious hint of spice and sweetness to anyone passing by.

Nearby, the lake shimmered in gold and amber reflections as families gathered, kids darting between picnic tables, their laughter mixing with the soft clink of spoons and bowls. Emily leaned close to Jack, whispering, “I think we might have a winner on aroma alone.” He winked. “Don’t tempt the judges too early.”

When the first judge approached, he wrinkled his nose, sniffing the air like a curious dog. “Smells… intriguing,” he said, peering at the bubbling chili. Emily handed him a bowl with a flourish. “It’s smoky, spicy, with just a hint of autumn cider,” she promised. Jack pointed to the cinnamon sticks floating atop the chili. “Secret ingredient—fall in a pot.”

As the judge took his first spoonful, his eyes widened, then he leaned back with a satisfied nod. “Well, I wasn’t expecting this. It’s… phenomenal.” Nearby kids cheered, thinking it was some kind of magic potion, and Jack and Emily exchanged a victorious glance. “I told you,” Emily whispered, “we make a good team.”

The next judges were equally enchanted, some sneaking extra bites while pretending to write notes. Jack leaned close to Emily, brushing a smudge of chili from her cheek. “You’re supposed to be professional,” he teased. She laughed, swiping it onto his sleeve. “Professional, yes. But delicious, even better.”

By late afternoon, the aroma of chili mingled with the scent of fallen leaves, cider, and wood smoke. Emily sipped her own cup of spiced cider and grinned at Jack. “Next year, same spot?” she asked. Jack raised an eyebrow. “Only if we bring backup firepits—and maybe a trophy for cutest team.”

As the sun dipped behind the trees, painting the lake in deep gold, the couple packed up, their chili bowls empty, their hearts full, and the taste of victory, and fall, lingering on their lips. Emily linked her arm through Jack’s. “See? Autumn magic,” she said. Jack laughed, pulling her close. “And maybe just a little bit of chili luck.”


Just as Jack and Emily began to pack the last of their utensils, a familiar laugh echoed across the lakeside. “Well, if it isn’t the chili champions!” Molly called, stepping out from behind a cluster of maple trees, Rick close on her heels. Both were carrying a wicker basket brimming with treats: apple cider doughnuts, mini pumpkin pies, and a thermos of spiced cider. The sweet, warm scents mingled with the smoky chili, making the afternoon feel even cozier.

Emily’s eyes lit up. “You two came just in time! Taste-testing, of course,” she said, gesturing to the empty bowls. Jack grinned. “Or maybe just here to steal our secret recipe,” he teased.

Rick raised his eyebrows dramatically. “Steal? Never! We’re here to make sure your chili gets the appreciation it deserves. Besides, we brought reinforcements for dessert.” He handed over the pumpkin pies, their sugary aroma cutting through the crisp autumn air.

Molly laughed, brushing a stray leaf from Emily’s hair. “I knew you’d need company after you wowed the judges. And Jack, don’t think I didn’t notice your backup firepit—it’s practically cheating.” Jack shrugged, hiding a sheepish smile behind the cider cup he had grabbed. “It’s called strategy, Molly. You’d understand if you ever had to fight a propane stove that hates you.”

The four friends gathered around the firepit, trading bites of chili and pie, sipping cider, and watching the lake shimmer in golden hues. Leaves rustled in a gentle breeze, and somewhere across the lake, a loon called—a perfect soundtrack for their impromptu lakeside feast. Emily nudged Jack playfully. “See? This is exactly why fall is magical.”

Rick leaned back, taking a slow bite of a doughnut. “I’m just here to make sure the chili didn’t give you too big a head. You know, balance in the universe.” Molly smirked. “Balance, sure—but mostly I came for dessert and a little lakeside gossip.”

Jack laughed, clinking his cider cup with Rick’s. “Well, in that case, welcome to the chili champions’ fan club. Membership comes with sticky fingers and full hearts.”

As the sun sank behind the distant hills, casting fiery reflections across the water, the four friends lingered, savoring each bite and sip, the warm glow of the firepit flickering across their faces. The chili, cider, and pumpkin treats had done more than fill their stomachs—they had created a memory that would keep the crisp autumn day alive in their hearts long after the leaves had fallen.



Jack leaned back in his chair, stretching after a long afternoon at the lakeside. Emily picked up her phone, grinning. “Alexa, play ‘Superstition’ by Stevie Wonder.”

The unmistakable funky piano riff filled the room, and the soft hum of the lake outside seemed to sync with the beat. Rick, munching on a leftover mini pumpkin pie, bobbed his head instinctively. “Ah, now this is the kind of autumn energy I can get behind,” he said.

Molly laughed, tapping her fingers on the tabletop in rhythm. “You know, if Stevie were here, he’d totally approve of our cider-fueled dance moves.”

Emily nudged Jack. “Come on, dance a little. Leaves aren’t the only things falling today!”

Jack shook his head, pretending to be embarrassed, but the corner of his mouth twitched. By the time the chorus hit, all four of them were laughing, dancing in small circles, and enjoying a perfect, musical finish to a golden autumn afternoon.




===========SHADOW
The Night Watcher
    Every night, the residents of East Haven hear the low hum of engines in the sky, an unsettling frequency that seeps into their dreams. One by one, they began witnessing flashes of blinding light, illuminating the trees of Sleeping Giant Park. The next day, they find their neighbors vanished without a trace, leaving only a dark symbol etched into the ground. What once seemed like a night of wonder now reeks of despair, as residents remain haunted by the question: Who or what is watching them?
    
SHADOW by Joseph Miller
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3
Click here to secure your copy now and unlock exclusive insights that can change your life!


============Space Tales 2
Dark, gripping stories that’ll haunt your imagination long after you close the book.
Warning: don’t read this alone in the woods. 👽
Space Tales 2 by Joseph Miller
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FKHGKSL3
Buy a copy now. Begin your next great reading adventure.


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============ sponsor

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

Looking for something special at the craft fair? Kelly’s booth is bursting with handmade treasures you won’t see anywhere else. Each item is carefully crafted, reflecting creativity and passion. Meet the artist herself and hear the story behind each piece. Whether it’s whimsical, practical, or decorative, there’s a little magic for everyone. Take your time to explore, touch, and admire the details. Visit Kelly’s booth and find a gift that tells a story!

The 2025 Torrington Christmas Holiday Festival is Sunday, November 9th. Go support our local makers and community! Put this on your calendar!  We look forward to seeing you again!!  



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 • Thank you for stopping by! 
Thank you for visiting us during this beautiful transition to October! Sharing hot black coffee around the fire pit was a wonderful way to embrace the slower pace of the season. Your smile and laughter brightened our evenings, making them all the more special. We can’t wait to welcome you back for cozy chats over hot soup!


 • Please do write a comment.  You could, if you dare, ask me a question. If I like it, I'll publish it right here in Miller's Mysteries Blog!
[send to mindmyst@yahoo.com]

Until next Thursday,    
Happy October!!! 

Joe Miller 🍻🍻 🦈️⛳️⛵🇺🇸️🌻🍎🎃️

                          Joe