The Miller Report 12112025 🌲️🌲️

 Miller's Mysteries Blog

 

 Greetings and Welcome! 
🎄 Welcome to Miller’s Mysteries, where the Southington sunshine is crisp, bright, and even the neighbor’s goats have stopped by to peek in the window! 🐐 The cats, of course, are staring back like furry little security guards on holiday duty. 🐈‍⬛ 
 Cats
It’s the perfect kind of day for wandering through Calendar House shows, catching a film at AMC 🎥, or planning a cozy dinner out. We’re already dreaming of meals at Smokin’ with Chris, Bella’Gio, and the Back Nine Tavern. 🎁 Grab a coffee, settle in, and let’s enjoy the season together! ☕❄️

 • Across my Desk!!

Molecules-to-man evolution is not a fact.

Angel at the Gas Station?
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/1QeGvHSf2S8

Taxes
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/TpKa0WztRuU


Today at the North Pole: frosty skies with heavy chances of reindeer traffic delays, drifting snow powered by magical sleigh winds, and a 100% probability of elves complaining it’s “not even cold enough yet.” ❄️🦌🎄

Birth chart
People born on December 11 will wake up fueled by cosmic caffeine, destined to accomplish great things… right after finding their missing left slipper. 🌟☕️ Their ruling planet today is “Holiday Chaos,” meaning every plan will go perfectly as long as they don’t actually make any plans. 🎄🌀 And with the Moon in “Snacking Sagittarius,” they’re fated to solve 90% of life’s problems using cookies, stubborn optimism, and at least one sarcastic comment. 🍪♐😄

Popcorn: Lightly salted or flavored popcorn for a satisfying crunch.
    Cheese and Crackers: A platter of assorted cheeses with whole-grain crackers.

“That’s okay, Colleen—if you ratted me out, just save me one Christmas cookie, and we’ll call it even!” 🍪😄



  • The Reader

Molly settles into a corner booth at the Pepper Pot just before the noontime rush. She has a pad of yellow paper and a mechanical pencil with a chewed eraser. Her iced tea beads water onto the tabletop. The waitress sets down a BLT sandwich, and the aroma makes Molly’s stomach rumble. 

She props up her tablet and loads Mindmyst Tales. The hum of lunch conversations makes perfect background noise. She takes a bite, smiles, and starts writing notes.  


 • Math of the Week

Bob and Michele tromped through the light December snow like two escaped extras from a holiday movie, arguing over whether the flakes tasted more like “winter sugar” or “freezer burn.” Michele tried to catch a snowflake on her tongue, missed completely, and nearly walked into a decorative reindeer Bob swore had moved on its own. By the time they reached the shop, they were laughing so hard that other shoppers assumed they’d pre-gamed with eggnog.

1.

Bob and Michele walk down Center Street as a soft December snow falls. Bob buys 3 hot chocolates for $4 each, and Michele buys 2 peppermint lattes for $5 each.
How much do they spend altogether?


2.

Michele finds a string of twinkle lights on sale for 25% off the original price of $16. The snowflakes swirl as she tries to do the math in her head.
What is the sale price?


3.

Bob buys 5 small Christmas candles that cost $2 each, while Michele buys 3 larger candles that cost $4 each. Snow dusts their coats as they walk back to the car.
How much do they spend on candles total?


4.

At the craft fair, Michele buys a bag of 12 handmade chocolates, planning to save half for later—but Bob sneaks 3 pieces while they walk through the snow.
How many chocolates does Michele have left?


5.

Bob and Michele buy wrapping supplies: 2 rolls of snowflake paper at $3 each, 3 bows at $1 each, and 1 roll of tape for $2.
What is the total cost?




 • Now, This Week's Exciting Story

Runaway Cart

Lefty and Chantal’s runaway grocery cart—stuffed with eggnog, cranberry tarts, and one dangerously wobbly fruitcake—shot across the icy parking lot like it had dreams of Olympic glory, while holiday shoppers lined the edges, cheering, scoring its spins, and shouting tips as if the pair were competing in the Winter Cart Grand Prix.


Lefty sprinted after the cart, boots skidding across the glassy ice as the metal wheels chattered like sleigh bells gone rogue. Chantal followed, laughing so hard she could barely breathe, her scarf snapping behind her like a festive red pennant. The cold air tasted sharp and tinny, the way December always does just before the snow starts again, and every exhale puffed from them in little white bursts, as if the two were steam-powered holiday locomotives. Shoppers paused mid-stride, bags dangling, heads turning toward the sliding spectacle with wide grins and mittened hands clapped over mouths.

The cart hit a patch of rough asphalt, bouncing so hard the eggnog jugs thumped like little drums inside, sending a creamy scent into the crisp air. A box of cranberry tarts shifted dangerously, the sugary tops glinting like ruby glass in the morning light. Lefty lunged, fingertips brushing the handle, but the cart veered away in a mischievous arc, wheels squealing as if laughing at him. A couple near the curb whooped, raising their coffee cups in salute like tailgating fans at a very cold parade.

Chantal finally caught up enough to grab Lefty’s coat and tether herself so she wouldn’t fall; the two of them slid together in one clumsy ballet that felt more like interpretive holiday chaos than athletic prowess. Her breath smelled faintly of peppermint gum, and Lefty caught the scent just as they pinwheeled around a tiny ridge of ice, squeaking out startled laughs. Snowflakes drifted from a low cloudbank overhead, tiny cold pinpricks landing on their cheeks and melting into quick silver droplets. The parking lot hummed with distant Christmas music drifting from unseen speakers, a jaunty soundtrack to their accidental performance.

Up ahead, the cart clipped a parked sedan with a hollow thunk, spinning in a slow, wide turn like a carnival ride winding down. Eggnog wobbled but miraculously held; the fruitcake—emitting that unmistakable aroma of candied citrus and mystery ingredients—stayed wedged in its spot like it had trained for this. A kid in a puffy coat cheered, “Go, cart! Go!” while his mother snapped photos as if documenting a rare winter migration. Lefty and Chantal picked up speed, shoes slipping, hearts thumping.

Finally, with a desperate, dramatic dive worthy of a holiday action movie, Lefty caught the cart’s handle and skidded to a breathless stop inches from a snowbank. Chantal crashed into him from behind, both of them collapsing into a laughing heap as the cart settled, wheels ticking softly in exhaustion. The chilly air filled with their giggles, the distant jingle of a store door, and the faint warm smell of someone’s nearby roasted nuts stand. They sat there on the cold ground, cheeks flushed, lungs burning, clutching their triumphant cart as spectators applauded like they’d just witnessed the greatest winter chase since Santa outran a blizzard.





===========SHADOW
The townsfolk gather in fear as shimmering lights dance across Ashford’s horizon, a sight that should inspire wonder but instead casts a dark shadow. That fateful evening, children report seeing glowing figures reaching down from the sky, smiling with rows of sharp teeth. One by one, the children begin acting strangely, their laughter turning into whispers of malevolence that echo through the town’s streets. Just as quickly as they appeared, the lights vanish, leaving families to wonder who their children truly are now.
    
SHADOW by Joseph Miller
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B4Z36PS3
Secure your copy now and join countless others who have transformed their lives through these incredible testimonies!


============Special Dark 
The treasure map promised gold and glory; Jack just hoped it also came with decent coffee and fewer bullets this time. ☕💰

SPECIAL DARK by Joseph Miller
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FX9LTS74
Grab a copy now. Begin your next great reading adventure. 


Visit and enjoy my Author Page 🍂📜 ♣️❤️♠️♦️
https://warlockpublishing.com/author-joseph-miller.html
📚📖📘📙📗📕📔📒📓📔📒📓📚 ✨🌙💥👣️👽️🛸🚀☁️ 🕵️‍♀️💕




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

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

Kelly’s craft booth is the place to visit if you appreciate handmade work done with care and imagination. She brings a collection of pieces that feel both unique and familiar, the kind you immediately want to pick up. Her artistry reflects years of practice and a genuine love for what she does. Visitors often say her booth feels like a cozy corner of the fair. You’ll find everything beautifully displayed and easy to browse. Stop by for inspiration, a heartfelt gift, or just to chat about the creative process. Kelly always welcomes new faces.

December 14th  Ball and Socket Arts, Cheshire
Come support our local makers and community! Put this on your calendar!  We look forward to seeing you again!!  
https://www.facebook.com/ballandsocketarts
A big thank you to the amazing local sponsors who have stepped up to make this year's Holiday @ the Factory happen on Sunday, December 14th, from 1-5 pm!  Be sure to thank these wonderful local businesses, who are contributing to making a free community event happen.


============

 • Thank you for stopping by! 
The December chill might bite, but company like yours keeps the cold at bay. Thanks for dropping in and stirring up some warmth beside the fire. Here’s to good soup, dark coffee, and the kind of talk that lingers long after the embers fade.



 • 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 December!!! 

Joe Miller 🍻🎃️🦃 🌲️

 • Quick question
If you could choose a new name for yourself based on your most embarrassing moment, what would you be called? I think “Buoyant Burrito” might be my new identity after that time I tripped trying to impress someone while holding a plate of tacos! What a way to spice up my life!

 
 • weather forecast
 
A massive solar flare is expected to interfere with Wi-Fi, GPS, and Grandma’s Hallmark movie marathon.
Temperatures will rise to “uncomfortable sweater” levels.
Stay hydrated and blame the Sun for everything.
 
 
 • Questions from readers:
 
Joe, what’s your favorite Autumn writing snack?
👉 Anything that doesn’t drip mustard on my keyboard — which rules out 98% of cookout food.

 Joe, do you ever get distracted while writing at a baseball game?
👉 Only when someone yells “Beer here!” — then suddenly my plot has a seventh-inning stretch. 


 Joe