No hearts and flowers, if you please.

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

Winning drawing from MCMS art contest: The Best of Miller, Texas
  Congratulations Mikey Vines

January 10, 2015

It seems that the New Year always brings out the romantic side of people.  Resolutions.  The wish to be a better person.  Being grateful for all the blessing of the past year.  Appreciating the SO in your life, or wishing for a special someone to come along and sweep you off your feet.  Old man winter is settling into his element, stirring up the north winds and sending them streaking across the Canadian border.  If you live up north that means snow and subzero temperatures.  Brrrr!  I mean 9 degrees, if that isn't the perfect excuse to canoodle, then I don't know what it.  Still, in Texas, the temps don't dip that low more than once in a blue, blue, blue winter moon.  No, Texans are just normally kind of romantic.  How else do you account for the swagger?  Which leads this blogger to the point--what's with all the Valentine's?  Surely, retailers could take a brief break between holidays.  Let people enjoy these few weeks of snuggling up with their honeys before the stores bombard the world with Valentine's Day displays.  It is like the minute the bubbly pops at midnight on the thirty-first, bang! Hearts and flowers explode. Everywhere you look, from the grocery stores to the ads on the internet, sappy red hearts abound.  Makes a body weary, and take the romance right out of the season, if you ask this blogger's opinion, which maybe you did, since you are reading this post.  Ironically, all this pre-advertising doesn't seem to help.  If you don't agree, just visit a lingerie store, florist, or candy shop on February 14th.  The lines are longer than any other day of the year.  

Yikes!  See?  Even this blog has been infected with hearts and flowers.

Moving on, to a slightly less prosaic, but oddly related note --there are no new romances to report on in our little berg.  Millerites seem to be laying low because of the cold front that blew through bringing cold rain and even some sleet.  There were some reports of visitors to Miller that are of special interest.  Remember the feisty little red head that flew in for the A-B wedding.  She was seen at the Double D this past weekend, enjoying some of Chef M's delicious catfish with her good pal and former roommate.  A certain dude transplanted from New York was also there.  His former flame, the science teacher, showed up at the roadhouse to dine, as well.  For a few moments, it looked like there might be a fracas worthy of the old nighttime soap, Dallas.  Alas, the dude and the redhead from New York (RHFNY) went their separate ways, and the lady who got her heart broken spent her night at the bar keeping company with a hunky blond.  The E 5s were also at the roadhouse, celebrating a family birthday.  What a spunky group those five are!  Don't fret, this intrepid blogger will keep an ear to ground.  Should a new romance bloom, or a herd of stampeding buffalo head this way, you can read about it right here.

Meanwhile, don't forget that a hoodie and a toboggan are not really adequate for temperatures in the thirties.  If you are out and about, wear a real coat, for Pete's sake and be sure to keep a blanket or two in your car.  Being stranded on the side of the road in the dead of winter, even in Texas, could be uncomfortable. Stupidity causes more deaths in our country than any thing else.  Nuff said.

Like us on Facebook :)  

Follow me on Twitter @miller_texas

     #bluebluebluewintermoon

     #whodidyoukissatmidnight

Double D series--Book 14: Midnight Kiss

1211 moaning and groaning, 1 celebrating.

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

July 7, 2014

Have you ever heard such weeping and moaning in your life? Get a grip people, you knew someone would have the right date for the Wedding Pool, and well, since no one was allowed to choose the same date, there could only be one winner.  Seems that Mavis over at the feed store was the one to pick July 4^th.  She is celebrating her acumen by taking her family to eat at the Double D.  You can think what you want, but to this blogger’s way of thinking, FB is the winner.  Did you see the smile on his face when his little snowbird came down the aisle?  It was a sight to behold for sure.  Ah…love, doesn’t it make your heart go pitty-pat? 

With that in mind, it has reached this blogger’s ears that some of you are speculating as to who might be writing this blog.  Don’t that just beat all?  Next thing you know there will be a pool for that and old DT down at the water office will be laying down some new rules for participating.  What we really need is a new romance to heat up and give Millerites something a little more interesting to focus on.  You can be sure that this blogger will be on the lookout and when romance shows its red, red heart again, you can read about it right here. Speaking of new romances, did you catch the interview our own MoS did with Cavilla Gomez, the host of Tyler ENewz? This blogger may have to rethink his tag, Miller's Most Eligible Bachelor (MMEB)

Meanwhile, frogs are hopping like nobody’s business.  That usually means rain, which would be about right.  The rodeo is due in town this weekend.  Can’t deny the town needs the rain, but it sure puts a damper on the rodeo.  Yeehaw! ‘Nuff said.

Like us FaceBook

Follow us on Twitter @miller_texas

#LivingInTheHappilyEverAfterZone #WindSurfingAnyone #HowWouldYouAskForHisNumber #MillersMostEligibleBachelorTakesABreak

@The Double D Series: Kiss Me Senseless

Wedding Bells are ringing, just like I told you they would.

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

June 30, 2014

Wedding bells are ringing. Friday, July 4th. That is the winning date. What is it about weddings that makes a body go completely mushy? Seeing a bride all gussied up in white standing on an old pier with a pine tree forest behind her, her long black hair a riot of curls, her blue eyes sparkling, her face so beautiful that more than one man swallowed his tongue looking at it — well, it just melts the heart. Word on the street is that all the bride's pictures were taken at the farm by Picture It Perfect. Xena, Miller's very own warrior princess, did an amazing job as always and will also be shooting the wedding photos. The farm was the perfect setting for the former snowbird and her bridal party. FB did good, don't you think, Millerites?

Having said that, this intrepid blogger couldn't help but notice that some feathers were ruffled when the wedding party arrived. That little redhead from NYC — let's call her the Red Haired Northerner (RHN) — sure created a stir in our little town. Is this blogger the only one who noticed a certain Friend of the Bride (FOB) looking thunderstruck? Think there is a story there? Most definitely. RHN has a round trip ticket, but don't be surprised if she buys a return ticket in the near future. Seems she was quite taken with the quaint charm of the Double D Motel. And she was not the only New York guest to make an impression. A certain sharp-eyed attorney (SEA) who looked at the Double D like she was calculating its structural integrity has this blogger thinking Miller might just grow on her yet. We shall see. Meanwhile, be prepared to get to the C of C early if you are attending the wedding. It is sure to be crowded — the sanctuary seats one hundred fifty people comfortably. The reception will be held at the Double D Roadhouse, and Chef M has created what this blogger hears is a masterpiece of a wedding cake.

A word to the wise, Millerites: weddings make people brave. They also make people foolish. Sometimes those are the same thing, and sometimes that is exactly what the good Lord intended. Show up, be kind to the out-of-towners, and tip Chef M's staff well. They have earned it. 'Nuff said.

Follow us on Facebook and Twitter @miller_texas

#ididn'twintheweddingpool #getmetothechurchontime #RHNmightjuststayawhile #ChefMdoesitAgain

@The Double D Series: Kiss Me Senseless

Team Farmboy!

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

September 23, 2013

One would never know from the temperature outside that summer has ended.  92ᵒ. Bring on the lemonade.  School bells are ringing, and duck hunters are lying in the marshy river bottoms waiting for the ducks to come to roost, fighting off mosquitos no doubt.  More importantly, fall sports are back.  Soccer, football, or volleyball, choose your fav.  The Huskies football team is 3-1 so far, and they face their biggest district competition when they play Grapeland this Friday.  We need to fill the stands and cheer for our boys.  Let’s not forget the Lady Huskies are knee-deep in volleyball as well.  The girls are heading off for a tournament in Lone Oak, and as always Millerites wish them the best.  Anyone that has time this weekend, drive on over and support these hardworking young ladies.  Go Huskies.

With that in mind, this blogger is sad to report there is still no news of a reconciliation between our FB and SB.  Six weeks and counting.  Something seems to have put a spoke in the wheel of romance, but neither is talking nor have any of this blogger’s sources been able to ferret out anything.  Tsk! Tsk!  No more sitting together at Sunday service.  More’s the pity.  There is even talk of disbanding the Marriage Pool.  This intrepid blogger says don’t be too hasty.  Give our FB time, he has grit, he’ll come through, just see if he doesn’t.

Meanwhile, be especially vigilant when passing through school zones.  The speed limit is 20 mph.  By vigilant, this blogger means that you should keep a careful eye out for the little ones.  Remember, they don’t always look both ways before they dart out into the street.  To be more specific, don’t be talking on your cell phone while you are in a school zone.  Not only is it against the law, yes that’s right, the police can write you a ticket for talking on the cell phone in a school zone, it is just dumb!  Our children are our most precious resource, be sure you do your part and protect them by hanging up your phone.  Jumping down off my soapbox now. ’Nuff said.

Like us on Facebook. J

Follow me on Twitter. @miller_texas

#TheMarriagePoolLives #WhatzYourSoapBox #GoHuskies 

@The Double D Series: Kiss Me Senseless

Baby, You're a Firework

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

July 1, 2013

Will Washington ever get it right?  Wikileaks.  What will it be next?  Okay, this blogger is not going to go down that road.  Plenty of blogs out there weighing in on this mess, and any fool knows that one subject best left alone is politics, so let’s move on to something less volatile.  Like fireworks.  Yep, it is the week of the 4th.  Many of you will head on over to Lake Jacksonville and watch the city’s firework show.  It’s pretty impressive.  Just remember, as you make your plans to celebrate Independence Day, this is the time of year that we have to be exceptionally careful.  Too many young ‘uns end up in the emergency room every year because they mishandle fireworks.  Too many of our fields and pastures get burned because adults mishandle fireworks. So, have fun, but be safe.  A final word of warning, you are responsible morally, legally, and financially if you mess up. Nuff said.

With that in mind, JJ will have his annual backyard bar-b-que for a few dozen of his friends and family.  There are sure to be some fireworks there as well, and not just the kind you can buy at the numerous stands that have sprung up all over the place.  Our FB and SB will be part of the celebration, so it will be interesting to see if this pair does some sparking of their own.  He! He! Sparking.  Get it.  Of course, you do.  According to unnamed sources, and they are many and varied, the two are still playing it cool, but every Sunday, come rain or shine, they are sitting together, right-hand side, 3^rd pew from the back at the Miller C of C.  Don’t believe this blogger, come check it out for yourself.  When do you think the wedding will be?  DT at the water office is writing down your guesses.  And guys, remember, the Twelfth of Never is taken.

Meanwhile, here in the piney woods keep an eye on those elderly folks who live alone.  If you know someone who needs a fan, get in touch with Ron at the fire station.  Heat is the number one reason that people over 70 die during the sweltering hot summer months.  And let’s not forget to give a shout out to Marvin Trout, ninety years young, and still mowing his own grass.  Here’s to ninety more, Marvin. ‘Nuff said.

Be sure to like us on Facebook. J

Follow me on Twitter: @miller_texas

#SparkingTheNightAway  #MarvinTroutIsMyHero  #MyFireworksAreBetterThanYours;-)~

@The Double D Series: Kiss Me Senseless

Who Needs Electricity

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeawa

June 17, 2013

Whoo-whee!  That was some storm that blew through here this past weekend.  The thunderstorm with its blinding rain and tornadic winds knocked down power lines, tore up trees, had all of Miller thinking that an honest to goodness tornado was headed straight for our little neck of these here piney woods.   This intrepid blogger can’t remember ever seeing so much lightning.  There was a time that lightning flashed so fast and so bright that it felt like aliens might be landing in our backyards.  This morning, even though the Double D was buzzing with all the damage wrought, there have been no alien sightings reported--guess you could call that a positive from a negative.  However, Millerites are having to put up with the inconvenience of not having electricity.  Old Harold over at Meade’s Feed and Seed is running a special on generators.  It might be the time to check out how much it would set a body back to get one.  No deaths and no one injured; Millerites have much to be thankful for.  Yes, sir, they sure do.  If you don’t believe this blogger, you have only to check out the number of cars in the twelve churches in Miller yesterday.  All twelve parking lots were full to the brim.

Having said that, it is an ill wind that blows no good.  The storm took Millerite’s minds off the Lady Huskie’s painful loss.  They came in third in the state, not that being third is bad, just disappointing for Coach Olsen and the girls.  There’s always next year.  That’s our battle cry now!!!

With that in mind, there have been some sightings, not of the alien variety, that have the town buzzing, nonetheless.  AA and BB aka snowbird and farmboy, have been keeping company quite a bit lately.  The FFs were spotted sitting together at church several Sundays in a row, and by all accounts, the two were even seen at The Filling Station eating some of the FBQ’s (former beauty queen’s) famous blueberry waffles last Saturday.  Even more interesting, they were sharing a paradise pie at Baker Beau’s Wedding Emporium in Tyler.   Yep.  I said the wedding emporium.  Do you think they were there just because the pie is so yummy?  This intrepid blogger thinks not. Could it be that Miller has become their paradise?  Interesting thought, but wasn’t there a serpent in paradise?  Or was that the Garden of Eden?  No matter, despite the numerous sightings, there is no talk of marriage.  Have faith, fellow Millerites, he will woo her and win her back.  Wedding bells will ring, just be sure you have the right date when they do.  You know that it will be posted here in a New York second as soon as it gets penciled in.

Meanwhile, come out to the little league ball fields and watch our future HOFs (hall of famers) play some ball.  It means a lot to those little athletes to have people in the stands cheering them on.  The clean-up batter for the Double D Rangers hit three out of the park home runs last Friday night.   The fourth time he came to bat, the other team refused to pitch to him.  It was beautiful, and you should have been there.  You can be there this Friday night when the DD Rangers take on the Meade’s F & S Yankees.’Nuff said.

Follow me on Twitter @miller_texas

#WillFarmboyWinSnowbirdsHeart #WhatIsTheTemperatureOfASnowbirdsHeart #ThreeHomeRunsEqualsThreeBlueberryDonuts

   @The Double D Series: Kiss Me Senseless

Eyes and Ears Everywhere

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

May 6, 2013

After our brief, but heavy, rain the May flowers are everywhere.  Bees are buzzing.  Swings are swinging.  Laughter filled the John B. Miller Park this weekend. With this sudden rush to be outdoors comes…you guessed it, baseball fever.  The MCHS boys are hanging up their cleats for the season.  Sadly, they lost out in the 2A area tournament by a powerhouse team from Edgewood.  Coach Peterson did a fine job with our boys this year.  Go Huskies!  Don’t forget to congratulate senior shortstop R. J. Hampton.  He was unanimously selected to the 2A All-District Team.  The girls’ softball team is still hanging in there behind junior Carly Peterson’s wicked fastball.  If they win the regional quarterfinals tournament this weekend against Lone Oak, it’s on to the semifinals.  Good luck Lady Huskies and Coach Olsen. Miller is behind you all the way.  Ah, the memories. 

With that in mind, let’s turn our attention to a certain SB and FB who, if rumors are correct, got caught up in a little Houston Astros fever this weekend.  Do the words Kiss Cam ring a bell?  The Astros came out on the losing end of their contest with the Tigers, but I know you really want to know how FB fared.  Well…this intrepid blogger heard from a friend who is a friend who is a friend of a friend…you get the point (or if you don’t get the point, the point is that this blogger has eyes and ears everywhere).  The gist of the salacious rumor running rapidly through our little berg is that we might be seeing these two around Miller together—yep, that’s right, as a couple.  No mention of wedding bells yet, but it’s early days.  As for seeing AA and BB out and about, my bet is that we will see them at the Double D first.  Everyone in Miller shows up at the DD for Chef M’s All You Can Eat Catfish.  So…. keep your eyes peeled.  And check back, you know the minute this intrepid blogger finds out anything it will be posted here on this blog. 

Meanwhile, if you are attending any of the baseball or softball games our kids are playing, don’t park in the front row.  Find you a place way in the back out of the range of high-flying fly balls.  If you mess up and become the victim of a fly ball, Harvey Waller’s shop, You Crash ‘Em and We Fix ‘Em, is offering a discount on windshield replacement through the end of May.

Might this gallant blogger humbly note, that ALittleBitofMiller now has over 500 followers?  That is half of the population of Miller.  Okay, you’re right, it is hard to brag and be humble.  Keep those comments coming. ‘Nuff said.

Follow me on Twitter @miller_texas

#FirstSnowbirdFarmboySighting

#SupporttheLadyHuskies

#GoingFor1ThousandFollowers

#YouCrashEmWeFixEm

#BestCatfishInEastTexas

@The Double D: Kiss Me Senseless

Seeing Red

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.blogginmylifeaway

April 22, 2013

It appears that those April showers have finally shown up.  Along with those showers, the possibility of flash flooding.  As always, it’s either feast or famine.  The rain, even though it came as a gully washer, was a welcome break. Now that the rain has arrived, everywhere you look, you see signs that spring has sprung.  The cooler temperatures have people out walking, children are practicing baseball and soccer on every available patch of grass in Miller.  When the rain lets up for a minute, that is.  It is a beautiful sight to see.  Put me in, coach, I’m ready to play.

For those of you who are hungering for some good gossip, pull up a chair.  There is news to be had on the progress of FB’s alleged pursuit of SB.  Rumor has it that they were seen together at the welcome home party heading outside for a little alone time, and then FB disappeared suddenly...before we sang for she’s a jolly good fella. Interesting.  She stayed, smiled, and charmed the multitudes.  Can this blogger just say that the new favorite color in Miller is red?  The guys out there will be adding a chorus of amens to that thought, no doubt.  Also, it has come to the attention of yours truly that Dot at the water office has  a pool going.  She is taking bets on how long it will take before wedding bells are ringing in Miller.  Anyone who wants to chip in, see Dot before your favorite date is taken.  The  person who gets the date of the proposal, no we’d better make that wedding, given what happened the last time, will get the pot.  This intrepid blogger has already taken the 12^th of Never.  All of Miller is crossing their fingers, but FB has some serious making up to do if he wants to keep the SB as his own.  The water office opens at nine, just saying.

Meanwhile, the rain is falling creating slick streets.  Drive with care, and for goodness sake, don’t be daft.  When the stream has flooded out of its banks and is running across the road, turn around and find another way to get where you are going.  Do not drive through running water.  It just isn’t safe folks.  But hey, don’t take this blogger’s word for it, ask old HM down at the feed store.  It cost him a pretty penny to get his brand-new Jeep pulled out of Salty Creek.

And, parents, don’t forget to wish your children good luck.  This is the week that 3^rd and 4^th graders take their Reading and Math STAAR tests.  Say a little prayer for our kids this week, would you? They could use it. Happy bubbling to all.

Follow me on Twitter.@miller_texas

#TheBrideWoreRedWeCanOnlyHope #TheTwelfthOfNeverIsTaken #WeddingPoolIsOpen

 #HappyBubblingMillerKids

3rd Place Drawing MCMS Art Contest
Sights and Sounds of Miller
Artist: PJ Hampton

@The Double D: Kiss Me Senseless

No April showers, just heat, heat, heat!

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

April 15, 2013

Hot and dry. Smokey the Bear has all of Cherokee County on high alert, which means no burning. That bears repeating. Pun intended. No. Burning.  Unless, of course, you want to take a chance of burning half the county and getting yourself a whopping big fine when the fire chief pays you an official ignorance-is-no-excuse visit.   Okay. Okay.  We all know that the poem says April showers bring May flowers, but, folks, so far April has not brought any showers to Cherokee County.  Lakes are suffering.  Wildlife is suffering. Tempers are suffering. Yep, the heat makes us all a little crazy. Remember that before you give in to a little, well, let’s call it, HEAT RAGE.  Speaking of getting a little hot under the collar — today is the last day to file your income taxes. No point in griping about it. Griping just makes the people listening to you want to tell you to stick a sock in your pie hole. Go pay Caesar what is Caesar's, Millerites, and be done with it. CONSIDER THIS YOUR OFFICIAL TAX DAY PSA. You're welcome.

Speaking of things heating up, this intrepid blogger has been keeping an eye on our little SB. Word around town is that a certain FB picked her up from the airport.  Interesting.  Oh, to have been a fly on the headliner of his truck. Now that she is back in the nest, our FB is suspiciously MIA. He’s still in Miller, just keeping out of sight. Could it be that having SB-his FF (this blogger's new favorite initialism: Former Fiancée)-right on his doorstep has him lying low?  Hmmm.  Wonder how that’s working for him?  Friday is the big Welcome Back shindig.  Will he make an appearance? Don’t you fret; nothing gets by this blogger.  Whatever happens, you can read about it here.

Meanwhile, the old-timers say the fish are biting.  It might be time to wet a hook.  Hey, if you don’t catch any fish, you can at least cool off by taking a quick dip.  Bet the water in the lake is plenty cool enough to take the edge off this little heatwave.  All this talk of fishing makes this intrepid blogger think it’s a good time for a bit of family time at the lake.  This old world goes better with a little grace and a little patience — and if a fishing pole helps you find both, who's to argue? Catch you on the flip-flop.  Unless the fish start hitting on my bait--then it might be a month of Sundays before you hear from me again. ‘Nuff Said.

Follow me on Twitter. @miller_texa

#thesnowbirdandthefarmboy #catchingyourlimit #catchandrelease #TooHotToFryFish

2nd Place Drawing MCMS Art Contest
Sights and Sounds of Miller
Artist: Macy Thomas

The Double D Series: Kiss Me Senseless

The Prodigal Returns and the Heat Climbs

ALittleBitofMiller@theDoubleD.bloggingmylifeaway

April 8, 2013

Can you believe this heat? The thermometer hit 95° yesterday. That just doesn't seem right. Even down here in Texas, we raise an eyebrow when it hits 95° in April. But heat or no heat, this blog isn't about the weather — what would be the point of that? With this blog, we (that would be the royal we) will be capturing a few bits and pieces of Miller, Texas for Millerites to ooh and aah over. The idea hit like lightning out of the blue. Crack! The radio was belting out an oldie but a goodie, Back in the Saddle. Hey, no judging. BITS is a classic. Anyway, it triggered a thought landslide about how sometimes the hardest thing in life is to give something another try once you've gotten hurt the first time. Ha — and that right there is about as deep as this blogger gets. So, for reals, what can you expect in these posts? This intrepid blogger will be dishing up whatever catches the attention of Millerites — some gossip, some community color, and sure, why not, a little common-sense advice along the way.

With that in mind, all of Miller is abuzz, and there is a certain man about Miller who might want to listen up. Let's call him Farm Boy (FB). Miller is about to welcome home one of its prodigal daughters. This feisty little lady has been hanging out in the Big Apple for a few years. Let's call her Snow Bird (SB). According to the 'rents, SB is due to arrive today. This blogger, for one, is hoping that old wounds have healed and hearts are ready for a second chance. It will be more than interesting to see if SB's return inspires FB to get back in the saddle and give romance another try. (That there would be a clever tie-in to the song, just in case you didn't catch it.) No doubt, Millerites will be lining up to watch the fireworks. Yippie-Ki-Yay! Things are 'bout to get interesting around these parts.

Meanwhile, life is good here in our little neck of the Piney Woods. Porches are full, supper tables are loud, and the Sunday potluck at the Miller Community Church cleaned out Chef M's famous peach cobbler in under ten minutes flat. Miller takes care of its own — and if this blogger knows anything, it's that one of our own is about to need a little extra looking-after. ‘Nuff said.

Congrats to Candace Drinkwater, winner of the MCMS Art Contest: Sights and Sounds of Miller

 Follow me on Twitter. @miller_texas

#AAplusBBequalsTrouble
#PineyWoods
#CatchYouOnTheFlipFlop

#MillerTakesCareoFitsOwn

#AAplusBBEqualsWeWillC

The Double D Series: Book 1