The Miller Report 07232026
Miller's Mysteries Blog
• Greetings
Welcome to Miller's Mysteries Blog, where the coffee is fresh, and the July sunshine has everyone smiling. Southington is showing off with blue skies, green parks, and flowers around every corner. The neighbor's goats are peeking over the fence to see what's new today.
The cats are lined up in the window conducting official squirrel inspections. We are looking forward to Calendar House Shows, AMC movies, and lunch at our favorite restaurants. Summer has officially declared that staying indoors is highly overrated.
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• Across my Desk!!
"The July heat wasn't the only thing hanging over Connecticut this week. Smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted into the state, turning the sun orange, softening the skyline, and reminding us that events hundreds of miles away can change the look of an ordinary summer afternoon."
Hiccups
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PG4ffjAZ2yE
NASA News🔭
-NASA scientists released a new study suggesting that powerful solar storms may have broader effects than previously believed, with impacts on satellites, GPS navigation, communications, and Earth's upper atmosphere extending farther than earlier models predicted.
-The James Webb Space Telescope has discovered a previously hidden giant exoplanet in a well-known star system, demonstrating Webb's ability to detect planets that had escaped earlier observations.
Weekend Weather Forecast
Expect a beautiful midsummer weekend in Southington. Friday through Sunday should feature warm afternoons in the low to mid-80s, comfortable nights in the upper 50s to around 60°F, and plenty of sunshine with relatively low humidity. It's an excellent weekend for cookouts, hiking, farmers markets, or an evening drive with only a slight chance of an isolated shower.
Southington News this week
-Southington residents had an opportunity this week to comment on the town's proposed 2026 Plan of Conservation and Development, a document that will help guide future growth, land use, and open-space planning.
-A 36-year-old Southington motorcyclist was seriously injured in a three-vehicle crash on Interstate 91 in North Haven. Connecticut State Police are continuing to investigate the collision.
-Several Southington students were recognized for academic achievement after being named to the University of Hartford's Spring 2026 Dean's List.
Helicopter
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/VrMkJCN8bic
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• The Reader
Daniel sat in an armchair by the fireplace while the last orange light faded outside. A hardcover notebook rested open on the armrest with a pencil laid across the spine. His tablet displayed MindMyst Tales Blog against the dim room. He drank strong tea with honey from a heavy mug. A bowl of popcorn sat on the side table within easy reach. Firelight flickered across the walls while he read. The evening seemed made for stories.
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• Math of the Week 📐📏🔢
1. Ice Cream Run
Trish and Chris leave Southington on a sunny July afternoon and drive 18 miles to an ice cream stand at an average speed of 36 mph. They stay for 20 minutes before driving home at an average speed of 45 mph. How long does the entire trip take, including their stop?
2. Covered Bridge Adventure
Chris drives 42 miles to visit a covered bridge while Trish keeps track of the mileage. Their car averages 28 miles per gallon, and gasoline costs $3.60 per gallon. How much does the fuel for the trip cost?
3. Farmers Market Tour
Trish and Chris visit three July farmers markets. They drive 12 miles to the first market, 15 miles to the second, 10 miles to the third, and 23 miles back home. If they average 40 mph for the entire trip, how many minutes do they spend driving?
4. State Park Picnic
On a warm July morning, Trish and Chris drive to a state park 54 miles away. They leave home at 9:15 a.m. and average 48 mph. At what time do they arrive at the park?
5. Scenic Back Roads
Chris plans a scenic July drive that is 96 miles long. Trish estimates they have enough gas because their car averages 32 miles per gallon. If gas costs $3.84 per gallon, how much will the gasoline for the trip cost? Round your answer to the nearest cent.
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• Escape The Rat Race 🐀💰 - part 16
Your Roadmap to Wealth
A Summer Morning Journey Toward Financial Freedom
The coffee is hot, the summer breeze is moving through the trees, and somewhere outside a bird is announcing that another beautiful day has arrived. Welcome to the journey of building wealth, where the destination is not just a bigger bank account, but a life filled with freedom, choices, and time to enjoy the moments that matter most.
Every great adventure begins with a roadmap. Whether you are planning a road trip through the countryside or mapping out your financial future, you need to know where you are starting and where you want to go. Wealth is built one mile, one decision, and one smart step at a time.
The first stop on this journey is understanding your current location. Take a look at your income, expenses, savings, and goals. A traveler would never begin a long trip without checking the map, and your financial adventure deserves the same attention.
Picture yourself years from now, sitting outside on a peaceful morning with your favorite cup of coffee. What does that life look like? Maybe it includes traveling, spending time with family, writing, gardening, exploring new places, or simply enjoying a quiet afternoon without financial worries.
The road to wealth begins with small choices made consistently. Saving a little money today may not seem exciting, but those small actions become powerful over time. Like planting a garden in July, patience and care can create something wonderful.
A strong financial journey needs a safety net. Building an emergency fund gives you protection when unexpected storms appear. Life can bring surprise expenses, but preparation helps you continue moving forward.
Debt can feel like a heavy backpack on a long hike. Reducing high-interest debt makes the journey easier and allows more of your money to work toward your dreams instead of paying for yesterday's purchases.
Growing your income is another important part of the adventure. Learn new skills, explore opportunities, and look for ways to increase your earning power. Sometimes the next turn in the road leads to an opportunity you never expected.
Investing is where your money begins working alongside you. Instead of every dollar simply leaving your pocket, investments can help build future possibilities. Like a well-planned garden, investments need time, patience, and regular care.
Multiple income streams can create extra confidence. A second source of income, a creative project, investments, or a small business can strengthen your financial foundation.
Protecting your wealth is part of being a wise traveler. Insurance, planning, and thoughtful decisions help protect the progress you have made. A good roadmap always includes ways to handle unexpected detours.
Remember that wealth is not only about numbers. It is about having the freedom to decide how you spend your days. The richest moments often come from family gatherings, hobbies, friendships, and experiences.
Do not worry if your journey looks different from someone else's. Some people travel the highway, while others enjoy the scenic back roads. The important thing is that you keep moving toward your own destination.
Along the way, take time to enjoy the scenery. Stop for a great meal at a favorite restaurant. Visit a local shop. Catch a movie at AMC. Attend a Calendar House Show. Life is not meant to be postponed until some future date.
Financial freedom creates choices. It allows you to spend more time doing what you love and less time worrying about what you must do. That freedom is the true reward waiting at the end of the road.
A successful wealth journey also includes generosity. Sharing your time, helping others, and supporting your community adds meaning to everything you build.
The best financial plans are flexible. Roads change, weather changes, and life changes. A good traveler adjusts the route while keeping the final destination in sight.
Your future self will thank you for the decisions you make today. Every dollar saved, every lesson learned, and every smart choice becomes another step toward independence.
So enjoy that summer morning. Listen to the birds, watch the clouds drift by, and remember that your financial adventure has already begun. The first step is often the most important one.
The roadmap to wealth is not about becoming rich overnight. It is about creating a life where your money supports your dreams, your passions, and your freedom.
Grab your coffee, check your map, and begin the journey. The open road is waiting, and the best chapters of your story may still be ahead.
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• Now, This Week's Exciting Story
The Barbecue Competition Caper
Jackson had entered plenty of strange places in pursuit of a mystery, but this was the first time he'd arrived carrying a cooler full of hamburger patties.
The annual Southington Summer Barbecue Showdown filled the town park with sizzling grills, folding chairs, cheerful families, and enough delicious aromas to make every diet surrender before noon. Contestants polished their smokers, arranged colorful spice bottles, and spoke proudly about recipes that had supposedly been handed down for generations.
Jackson's contribution was much simpler.
His secret burger recipe.
It contained only a handful of ingredients, but everyone who tasted it wanted another.
Emily carried a tray of hamburger buns while trying not to laugh.
"I can't believe you entered a barbecue competition with burgers."
"Burgers are barbecue."
"Half these people have briskets that have been cooking since yesterday."
"That just means I'll finish first."
Emily grinned.
"I admire your confidence."
The judges wandered through the rows introducing themselves while local musicians tuned their guitars beneath a nearby pavilion. Children chased bubbles across the grass, and the smell of charcoal drifted lazily through the warm July air.
Everything seemed perfectly normal.
Until Saturday morning.
Contestants began opening their storage bins.
One by one, confused expressions spread across the competition grounds.
"My spice rub is gone!"
"So is mine!"
"Who took my championship seasoning?"
Within minutes, nearly a dozen cooks were searching coolers, tables, backpacks, and trailers.
Emily folded her arms.
"This," she announced dramatically, "is officially a crime against summer."
Several nearby contestants nodded in complete agreement.
A barbecue without spices was like a mystery without clues.
Jackson walked slowly through the cooking area.
Nothing else had been disturbed.
Expensive smokers remained untouched.
Coolers full of meat were still locked.
Only the spice rubs had disappeared.
"Interesting," he said.
Emily pointed toward the grass.
"There are footprints."
Jackson examined them.
"They're from dozens of people. This won't help much."
Nearby, an elderly competitor named Earl looked heartbroken.
"I've been making that seasoning for twenty-five years."
Another contestant sighed.
"My grandfather invented ours."
Emily whispered, "Who steals seasoning?"
"Someone who knows exactly how valuable it is."
The event organizer hurried over.
"Folks, please remain calm. We'll figure this out."
A police officer took notes while volunteers searched every tent.
Nothing.
Jackson noticed something odd.
Several tiny reddish specks rested on a picnic table.
He rubbed one between his fingers.
"Paprika."
Emily found another clue near a trash barrel.
A faint trail of seasoning led toward the maintenance building.
The pair followed it.
Around the corner sat three enormous raccoons happily investigating an overturned plastic container.
One sneezed.
Another licked its paw.
The third looked deeply offended by cayenne pepper.
Emily burst into laughter.
"The suspects have masks!"
Jackson chuckled.
"The famous Barbecue Bandits."
Inside the open storage shed they found nearly every missing spice container scattered across the floor.
Apparently one contestant had forgotten to latch the storage door after unloading supplies the previous evening.
The irresistible smell of dozens of spice blends had attracted the hungry nighttime visitors.
The raccoons had carried containers everywhere before discovering that smoked paprika tasted considerably better than ghost pepper.
Contestants quickly reclaimed their seasonings.
Most needed only fresh lids.
One bottle had become surprisingly popular with the wildlife.
The competition resumed amid laughter, jokes, and endless stories about the world's first organized raccoon spice theft.
Emily shook her head.
"I was ready to accuse a master criminal."
"You were."
"Instead we caught three furry food critics."
Jackson placed his burgers on the grill.
The secret recipe worked its usual magic.
By late afternoon the judges gathered around his table.
One took a bite.
Then another.
A third immediately reached for a second burger.
The chief judge smiled.
"I've judged barbecue competitions for fifteen years."
He pointed at Jackson's platter.
"Those may be the best burgers we've ever tasted."
Jackson accepted the blue ribbon with a smile.
Emily applauded louder than anyone else.
As they packed up for the day, one of the raccoons cautiously peeked from the edge of the woods.
Emily laughed.
"I think he's hoping for your recipe."
Jackson smiled.
"He can keep the paprika."
"But the secret burger recipe?"
Jackson locked the cooler.
"That mystery stays unsolved."
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====Comedy Club 🎤🪑
I got a notification that said, "A new software update is available." Available? It sounded so friendly. Like it was offering me free pizza. It was not offering free pizza.
The phone always asks if I want to install the update now or later. There is never a button that says, "Maybe after I emotionally prepare for this."
I always wonder what the update actually does. The notes say things like, "Performance improvements." That could mean anything. My toaster has performance improvements. It pops up bread.
The update is always two gigabytes. Two gigabytes of what? Did they accidentally include three episodes of a cooking show?
Every update promises to fix bugs. I have had this phone for five years. If there are still bugs in there, somebody needs to call an exterminator.
Sometimes the update changes one tiny icon. Suddenly my weather app looks like it joined a witness protection program. I cannot find anything anymore.
The phone says the update will take ten minutes. That is smartphone math. Ten minutes is somewhere between a coffee break and the next presidential election.
Halfway through the update, the phone shows a progress bar. It gets to 99 percent and decides it has done enough for one day.
I sit there staring at the screen like I can encourage it. "Come on, little buddy. We both know you are almost finished."
When it finally restarts, everything looks exactly the same. I just spent thirty minutes watching my phone redecorate the wallpaper.
The keyboard always changes a little. Suddenly autocorrect decides my best friend's name should be "Broccoli."
Autocorrect never fixes the words I actually misspell. It waits until I type something perfectly normal and says, "Surely you meant hippopotamus."
The emojis move around after an update. I spend five minutes looking for the thumbs-up. By then the conversation is over.
Every update claims the battery will last longer. Somehow mine lasts exactly as long as a popsicle in August.
Then there is the camera. They say it has been improved. Wonderful. Now everyone can see my wrinkles in ultra high definition.
The phone starts suggesting features I never asked for. It tells me it can identify birds. I just wanted to call my sister.
Artificial intelligence keeps popping up. My phone offers to summarize my messages. I wrote the messages. I think I know what they say.
My phone now finishes my sentences. Sometimes it finishes them with ideas that could start an international incident.
The update always resets one setting. Suddenly my ringtone sounds like a medieval trumpet announcing the arrival of the king.
Why does every update change the alarm sound? Monday morning is stressful enough without waking up to what sounds like a spaceship landing.
The privacy settings become a treasure hunt. Every menu has another menu hiding behind it. I need breadcrumbs just to turn off notifications.
Speaking of notifications, my phone congratulates me for using my phone. Thanks. Could you also congratulate me for remembering where I left my glasses?
The storage warning is my favorite. It tells me I am out of space immediately after installing an update that used all the space.
Cloud storage is supposed to help. I still do not know where the cloud is. I hope it has good weather.
Then friends ask, "Did you get the latest update?" I do not know. My phone and I are still getting to know each other again.
Every update introduces a feature that nobody requested. "You can now organize your screenshots by emotional significance." Really?
The instruction manual is gone. Now there is a help page that says, "Simply swipe inward from the hidden menu." Hidden menu? That sounds less like a phone and more like a pirate treasure map.
I miss the old days when a phone had three jobs. It rang, it called people, and if you were lucky, it played Snake.
Now my phone wants to monitor my sleep, count my steps, measure my heart rate, remind me to drink water, and recommend restaurants. Pretty soon it will ask why I have not called my mother.
I know another update is coming next week. I will sigh, make another cup of coffee, and press "Install." After all, hope springs eternal, especially when your smartphone promises that this time everything will be even better.
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===========SHADOW
A child looking out a bedroom window spotted a spacecraft floating silently over the backyard swing set. Beneath it stood three pale creatures with narrow shoulders and heads too large for their bodies. Their faces were expressionless except for blinking vertical pupils. One slowly lifted a hand toward the window. Then the bedroom lights went out.
SHADOW by Joseph Miller
https://amzn.to/4rC3hGr
Secure your copy now and join countless others who have transformed their lives through these incredible testimonies! (affiliate link helps the blog)
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Visit and enjoy my Author Page
https://warlockpublishing.com/author-joseph-miller.html
📚📖📘📙📗📕📔📒📓📔📒📓📚 ✨🌙💥👣️👽️🛸🚀☁️ 🕵️♀️💕🍂📜 ♣️❤️♠️♦️
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============ sponsor
KelDel Creations
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100090364412851
Looking for something different from the ordinary? Visit Kelly’s craft booth and explore a collection of handmade items designed with imagination and attention to detail. Every creation begins with an idea and becomes something meaningful through patience and craftsmanship. You will find more than products here; you will find passion, personality, and a little piece of Kelly’s creative journey. A visit to a craft fair is a chance to slow down and enjoy the simple joy of discovering unique artwork and handmade treasures. Kelly welcomes everyone to stop, chat, and see what inspires her. Come say hello and experience the charm of handmade creations.
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• Thank you for stopping by!
I appreciate your time today. Picture a quiet firepit, hot black coffee in your hands, and hot soup waiting close by ☕🔥🍲. Take care until next time.
• Please write a comment.
[send to mindmyst@yahoo.com]
Until next Thursday,
Happy Month of July!!!
Joe Miller 🦈️⛳️
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Vacuuming adventure.
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Boston Scally Cap - The Peaky Newsboy
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Beautiful Fitted Sheets
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Coleman Sundome Camping Tent with Rainfly
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Excursion 4 Inflatable Boat
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Oil Burning Lantern
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USA 250th Anniversary Mug
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Rich Dad Poor Dad
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Cashflow Quadrant
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Honda EU2200i 2200-Watt 120-Volt Super Quiet Portable Inverter Generator
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Corn Cob Kernel Remover Tool
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How To Write An Instant Bestseller
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Space Tales 2 by Joseph Miller
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SPECIAL DARK by Joseph Miller
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SHADOW by Joseph Miller
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Bible Study Guide
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The Calamity Club by Katheryn Stockett
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That Month in Tuscany by Inglath Cooper
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This week's bestseller:
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
Onyx Storm delivers another fast-paced adventure filled with high-stakes action, memorable characters, and emotional twists that keep the pages turning. Rebecca Yarros continues to expand her richly imagined fantasy world while deepening the relationships and conflicts that have drawn readers into the series. Fans of epic fantasy, dragons, romance, and suspense will find plenty to enjoy in this exciting installment, making it a satisfying read that leaves readers eager for what comes next.
"I absolutely loved Onyx Storm. Violet and Xaden's relationship felt stronger than in the previous book, the world-building expanded beautifully, and I couldn't put it down." ... from a Reddit reviewer.
"The pacing felt slower than the earlier books, there were a lot of characters and locations to keep track of, and some sections felt repetitive, even though I still enjoyed the series overall."
... from a Sonderbooks reviewer.
Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
https://amzn.to/4fx2r8W
[Full disclosure: Some of the links on this blog are Amazon Affiliate links. This means that if you click a link and make a purchase, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only share products that I genuinely recommend or use myself. Your support helps keep the blog running and allows me to continue creating content you enjoy.]
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