Miracle Myx Suspense

.
"Here we are," I said.

"Are you trying to be obvious or profound?" Myx asked, almost interested.

"Ambiguous," I answered.

"Well, Dave, you've succeeded."

"I'll explain," I said.

"HELP! Somebody get me outta here!" Myx was shouting.

"Has that ever saved you from one of my explanations, Myx?"

"Always worth a shot."

"I was going to say, here we are a year later. A year after starting this blog. And I wanted to give you the chance to say something to our readers."

"I guess I can do that. I want to wish everyone happy holidays and thanks for being interested in little ol' me, and my sidekick, Dave."

"Sidekick?" I asked.

Miracle Myx Gives Thanks

.
"You can hardly see me," said Myx.

"Well enough--I guess."

"This is supposed to be about me, though."

"Myx, it's Thanksgiving; don't you have something to say?" I asked.

"You mean about me thanking everyone who's read MIRACLE MYX, given us good feedback, encouraged us tirelessly, and enjoyed my little adventures here and in the book?"

"Yeah--I think that about covers it, my little friend!" I said.

"Little?" Myx returned.

Miracle Myx Leaves It

.
"Fall's really here," Myx said.

"In all its glory!" I thought that was called for.

"Do you know what makes leaves change their color, Dave?"

"Same reason leopards can't change their spots?"

"Now, that makes even less sense than usual," Myx said.

"I must be out of practice," I said.

"So--I take it you really don't want to know about the leaves."

"Why don't we just enjoy them and invite everyone up to Miracle, MA to see the foliage," I said.

"I'd fall for that," Myx said.

Don't fall over getting to Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Gets Tracked

.
"Didn't we already do a variation of this?" asked Myx.

"You got something against repetition, Myx?"

"Not when it has a purpose, some deeper meaning, or a tenuous cosmic connection," Myx stated with an air of authority.

"That was for effect, right?"

"Yeah--just for the sound of it," Myx said.

"I thought we'd do the track thing because of the recent accident. Terrible thing that happened in California."

"Are we getting serious here? I mean, don't you want me to complain about maybe getting run over by an oncoming train?"

"That's one way to go, but, let's think today about how we shouldn't take for granted any trip we take safely. About how precious life is."

"You're thinking about Michael today, aren't you, Dave?"

"It's a year today that's he passed. I dedicated MIRACLE MYX to him because he always enjoyed the story, and was the first to read it."

"Let's just look up the tracks as far as we can for a while," Myx said.

And we did.

Keep track of Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Goes Home

.
"We're gonna talk about Miracle, aren't we?

"The town or the phenomenon--all the same to me, Myx."

Of course it wasn't all the same, but sometimes you want to sound like you can roll with any option, be versatile and flexible. I was certainly none of those things. I love regimen, routine, form that fits my preconceived notions. I sure wasn't going to let those little traits paint me into any corners that my mouth could talk my way out of.

"Let's go with the town, Myx."

"MIRACLE MYX takes place in Massachusetts, in a little town named Miracle," Myx said.

"And, why is it named Miracle?"

"That's what its founder, Elbridge Sonnet, named it 250 years ago. Nobody ever knew why. Nobody until I--"

"Why don't we let people find out by reading the book, Myx?"

"Rhetorical question, right? You want me to shut up," Myx said.

"Now that's a miracle I've prayed for," I said.

See the miracle of Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Makes Cutting Remarks

.
"I'm sure these were once considered sharp," I said.

"The people who used them were skilled craftsmen, Dave."

"And?" Now why would I say that in that way to Myx. It was sure to open some mental floodgate that I didn't want to listen to.

"Glad you asked," Myx said.

Told you!

Myx continued without a pause or a look to see if I was listening or rolling my eyes: "A craftsman has to be sure of his tools. I'm using the masculine here because in the days these were used, it was all about the man and women had their own crafts, none of which involved what I'm sitting over here."

"You're getting to some point?--get it? point! sharp! get it??" I was pleased at my own wit. OK--so I'm easily amused.

"The men who used these honed them to a razor edge, and often. Sharper than your Ginsu."

"Quit looking at my Ginsu, Myx--you know how shy I am!" Easily amused!

Look sharply at Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Remembers

.
"You can hardly tell," Myx said.

"Tell?" I always try to sound smart by echoing something I don't get. Does it work? Almost never, but I never said I learn from my mistakes.

"That this withered thing is an elephant. A joyous one by the looks of it."

"Symbol of what?" I asked. My voice had a hint of joy of its own since I thought this would get us onto the subject I intended.

"The GOP? You're not gonna make this a political statement, are you, Dave?"

"If I knew enough about either party I would ... I mean ... no!"

"Then, reading your transparent motives and feeble associative powers, I'd say you want me to talk about the cliché 'memory like an elephant.'"

"I have powers?" I raised my eyebrows and smiled when I asked that!

Myx ignored me and went on to explain: "Because of my synesthesia, I have a perfect memory, everything crystal clear."

"Can you remember all my other powers?"

"The crystal has gone dark!" Myx said.
Remember to watch Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Gets Patriotic

.
"The father of our country," Myx said.

"George?"

"You're on a first-name basis now with someone who's been dead for two hundred years?"

"Seems like an old friend after growing up with him and his stories," I said.

Myx was sitting atop a small metal container carrying a lock of George Washington's hair. Relics of all types have deep-seeded power with us humans. Some believe in their magical abilities, of course. But, even if they just remind us of a person, the way they lived, and the ideals that inspired them--well--what more do you want?

"Stories like throwing the coin across the Potomac," Myx said.

"Or about chopping down the cherry tree," I added.

"Dave, do you have any stories about cherries?"

"The kind you eat?"

Pit yourself against Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Makes A Splash

.
"Make sure I don't get wet," Myx said.

"You're fine."

"Easy for you to say over there all dry and away from the danger."

"Myx, are you calling a few drops of water danger?"

"Sounds like it, doesn't it?"

"Danger is like I went through during my interview," I said.

"Puuuuullllease don't even bring that up. You made me watch it last night, and I hope I never have to sit through anything like that again."

"It airs again, yanno," I said.

I was talking about the 1/2-hour interview I did for the Worcester cable access station WCCATV-13. I talked about MIRACLE MYX and writing. It airs again today, the 26th at 10:30 AM and 6 PM, and again on the 29th at 5:30 PM.

Watch WCCATV-13

"Now who's all wet," Myx said.

Flow to Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Bens The Truth

.
"You were born near here, Myx," I said.

"Born?"

"Sounded good, but no. The seminal idea for your character was caused by a book I bought near here."

"You're not going to tell the story of--"

"I was drawn to a strange title at Ephraim's bookstore here in Worcester. Ephraim's was a used bookstore with piles of books everywhere--its inventory was bought out by Ben Franklin. A thin book with the title MIND OF A MNEMONIST drew my attention back then, more than 20 years ago," I said.

"By Dr. Luria and it was about--"

"A Russian man with a perfect memory because of synesthesia."

"Just like me," Myx said.

"You're Russian?" I asked.

Remember to look at Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Meditates

.
"Spirituality," I said, as if that explained it all.

"Yeah, I thought you'd use that as a theme here," Myx said.

"Well, it does seem natural with you sitting atop such an iconic figure."

"Atop? Who are you trying to impress?"

"Certainly not you! Let's not argue in front of the D-E-I-T-Y," I spelled.

"Not a deity--and, do you think Gods can't spell?"

"Never know," I said. "Sometimes you want to shield your thoughts from the powers that be."

"For you, Dave, that's called prayer."

Pray, take a look at Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Drums Up Business

.
"Please tell me you're not going to beat that thing," Myx said.

"I wish I had a nickel for every time--"

"Yeah, yeah--didn't see that coming!

"An upcoming review says I have an adolescent sense of humor," I said. As you can see I'm very forthcoming.

"Maybe they overestimate you, Dave. But, I say funny is funny, no matter what the context."

"You trying to sound smart with that last statement?"

"Long way between sounding and being, is it? Luckily I can do both with ease and aplomb. Now that was for sounding smart," Myx said."

"This reminds me of my favorite turkey part," I said. I thought I'd distract Myx from one of his imminent egotistical discourses.

"The neck?" Myx said in an almost bored voice.

"No--the drumstick! Get it, the--"

"Adolescent," Myx said.

Beat it over to Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Gets Scooped

.
"Hold still, Myx!"

"Where would I be going?"

"I just don't want anything to ruin this great shot," I said.

"This is a great shot?" Myx asked with that tone in his voice.

"Sounded good for a moment," I said.

"Look at the rust on this thing. I wonder when it was last used?"

"Happens whenever things are abandoned, forgotten, or broken," I said.

"Dave, you used to be much wiser--and funnier!" Myx said.

"Maybe I'm just a bit rusty!"

Knock the rust off Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Cycles Through

.
"Makes going out for a little ride around the neighborhood seem trivial, doesn't it?"

"Hmmm?" I said with my usual razor-sharp insight.

"Major Taylor--he overcame so much to become a world champion," Myx said.

"The second black champion of any sport, after the fighter, George Dixon," I said.

"Huh? you can't steal my lines, Dave!"

"I can if I'm writing them, Myx! Why should you appear to be the smart one all the time?"

"Probably because I am the smart one, the one with the perfect memory, the one with the synesthetic mind."

Myx was getting into this.

"And what about my memory, about how I remember to put a spotlight on you and let you take center stage, and allow your antics?"

"I forgot about that," Myx said.

Remember to watch Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Gives Tanks

.
"It's not going to roll over me, is it?"

"It isn't?" I said.

"Dave ...!"

"I mean ... it isn't," I said.

"Looks heavy," Myx said.

"I've gotten in trouble for words very like those, Myx."

"Ever heard of the word 'tact?'"

"Heard of it--yes! Using it off the cuff is another thing."

"The turret is here, but the barrel is gone, probably for safety reasons," Myx muttered--probably to himself.

"Ya think?" I said sagely.

"Makes it kind of impotent, just like a certain ..."

"Don't even think of going there, Myx!" I had always wanted to use that cliche!

Roll over to Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Rounds Off

.
"Ya really think the arrow is necessary?"

"Myx, it's not only for pointing," I said.

"You're not going to attach some sort of analogous or symbolic meaning to it, are you?"

"I'm not?"

"Here we go," Myx said.

"Complementary," I enjoined. (See how I used "enjoined" here to look smart even though it's awkward!)

"Hmmm?"

"I'm complementing the pointed arrow shape of the Irish Round Tower," I said.

"The only one in Massachusetts, right?" Myx asked even though he knew.

"The only one in the USA, I believe, Myx." I know how to play along.

"If we're done, Dave, point the way out of here."

Enjoin Myx for a look at his book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Gets Prayed

.
"PATER NOSTER, qui es in caelis, sanctificetur nomen tuum," Myx said in a booming voice.

"Let me guess: Latin?" My five years as an altar boy weren't wasted, you see; I could still recognize the language anyway.

"The Our Father, Dave."

"And are your prayers floating up to ... what do we call it in MIRACLE MYX?"

"The glow room," Myx said. "I like when you says 'we' even though you wrote it."

"I know how you want to be included in anything substantial."

"And you call this substantial?" Myx almost laughed the question out.

"Close as we get, isn't it?"

Instead of answering, Myx decided to call out one more prayer, the Hail Mary:

"AVE MARIA, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc, et in hora mortis nostrae."

"Amen," I said.

"Amens ... Myx Amens," Myx replied.

Pray, do watch Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Takes Shape

.
"This is kinda strange," Myx said.

"Strange for everyday people, or strange for us?" I asked

"Strange for everyday people. Our readers don't know what we don't show them. That's some really weird stuff."

"It's topiary, Myx."

"Duh! From the Latin topiarius--"

"Uh-oh, here we go," I said.

Myx didn't seem to mind my interruption. He got used to them, and now even anticipated them and played off of my verbal insertions.

"--which means creator of places. Art is made from plants such as arborvitae, bay laurel, holly, yew--"

"Yew done yet? Get it, Myx--yew!"

Myx ignored my brilliant wit.

"--myrtle, and privet. Dave, I wish you had a voice like our friend here--the giraffe."

Yew must watch Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Blooms

.
"Summer is wonderful," Myx said.

"These flowers got you in a good mood?"

"Why not? Better than the ice and cold you put me through last winter, Dave"

"Each season has it's own beauty, Myx."

"If I recall, you had a coat on when we went out."

"Myx, we're not here on this beautiful day to argue. This is a celebration of the wonder and awe we should feel when witnessing nature," I said.

"I appreciate nature, Dave. I just wanted to point out that one fact."

"What fact?"

"That, in the cold, you had a coat on and I had nothing," Myx said.

"Not true," I countered. Let's see if Myx would bite!

"Huh?" Myx said.

Close enough.

"Myx, I had a coat, but you had a book jacket!"

Celebrate Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Crawls Ahead

.
We were in Worcester--at the common. Myx was sure the fountain, which was dry, was going to erupt at amy moment and deluge him.

"Let's just hurry up," Myx said.

"Myx, there's dirt, dust, and debris there. No water for a long time--get it?"

"Getting it is just what I afraid of. Getting wet."

"I should have put you on that turtle's back, " I said. "Then there'd be no chance of a hosing."

"That reminds me: What did the snail riding on the turtle's back say?"

Every once in a while, Myx likes to tell a joke. Who am I to not play along?

"What?" I said to be the straight man--not that I'm not a straight man all the time anyway!

"Wheeeee!" Myx said.

Ride Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Busts Out

.
"That's the father of our country, Myx!"

"George Washington--a great man," Myx agreed.

"In MIRACLE MYX, you have an encounter with another great man," I said.

"You're meaning JC?"

"Errr--if by Julius Caesar, you mean JC--then, yes!"

Myx seemed to warm to this subject and began: "He was there sitting on the desk, a bust not as big as this one, but it did have a lot of weight to it."

"And you respected it and left it right there?" Hey--so I'm leading the witness; that's what I do!

"Let's just say Julius helps me out by leading the way," Myx said. "Readers will have to find out how I follow him."

"You have some gall, Myx!" I didn't like the look Myx gave me because of my pun--I think he wanted it for himself.

Roam over to Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Spins

.
"What goes up must come down spinning wheel got to go round."

"Why didn't I see this coming, Myx?"

"You got no money, and you, you got no home--Spinning wheel all alone."

"You can't just sing this whole blog. Not just because you're in front of a spinning wheel," I said.

"Would you mind a reflecting sign--Just let it shine within your mind--And show you the colors that are real."

"You don't expect me to really answer any questions or interact, do you?" Myx gets into a song and doesn't get out until he's ready.

"Someone is waiting just for you--spinning wheel is spinning true."

"True may be a bit of a strong word here, Myx. We should get going; any last words of mimicked wisdom?" I said.

"Drop all your troubles, by the river side--Ride a painted pony--Let the spinning wheel fly."

"Myx, you squeeze out of me all my blood, sweat, and tears," I said--rather proud of my cleverness!

Take a spin on Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Takes A Minute

.
We were at the Lexington Green, the scene of the very beginning of the Revolutionary War.

"How does it feel to be this close to a brave and famous man?" I asked.

"Please tell me you're not talking about yourself, Dave," Myx said.

"I'm talking about the famous leader behind you, Myx. I'm talking about the Captain--Captain John Parker."

"The Minuteman," Myx added.

"You're exactly right, Myx."

"Fitting we should be here in July--just after we commemorate the signing of the Declaration of Independence."

"It does give you a real sense of history here, Myx.

"Do you want to tell everyone why you're known as the 'Minuteman' too, Dave?"

"Errr--that would be a no!"

Take a minute and watch Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Seals The Deal

.
"Haven't we done this before, Dave?"

Myx was always ready to point out weaknesses, omissions, and redundancies. Months ago, I had taken a photo of Myx with the Massachusetts state flag. In the blog, we had explained all about the state seal. Myx was just highlighting that fact.

"Just because I pointed out the meaning of the Native American--"

"The Indian drowned me, killed me the second time," Myx stated, maybe a little too quietly.

"Yes, in MIRACLE MYX that does happen. You call Johnny Bearcloud 'the Indian' all through the book," I said.

"Maybe I've got a right to. Maybe--"

"Myx, where is this all coming from? Where's the light and breezy banter that we're famous for?

"Hmmm? You're right, Dave. What's a little drowning between friends." After a short pause, Myx added: "Famous?"

"Sounded good!" I said with my cheery voice.

Pow wow with Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Recycles

.
"Don't you dare put me in there, Dave."

"I would never do that, Myx."

"Never?"

"Not unless it would make for a better picture!" I admitted.

"I suppose you have something to say about recycling," Myx said.

"Only that it's a good idea and everybody needs to do what they can."

"I know you, Dave--unfortunately. You have some other use for this symbolism, don't you?"

"Well, I was just going to say that I don't particularly like mysteries that recycle old ideas, motives, plots, and characters. I would never do that!"

"Never?" Myx sang.

Recycle through Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com

Miracle Myx Is Vane

.
"Cocks," Myx said.

"What?" See how expressive I can be when given the right opportunity!

"Also called weather cocks when in the form of a rooster," Myx explained.

"And I suppose you'll explain how a weather vane works, too."

"Other than telling you that the front and back halves have to be of equal weight, but not equal area--NO!"

"Weight so it spins easily and--"

"Area so the vane always points into the wind--the greater area in the back rotates it that way. The directional pointers below let you name the wind."

Myx always sounds a bit smug when giving me some facts. Awww ... why not let him have his fun! But, I couldn't resist adding one fact of my own:

"Airports use weather socks to show the direction and strength of the wind. Socks and cocks, Myx!" Now I felt smug at my own rhyming.

"Sounds like a theme for you next night alone, Dave," Myx said.

Point yourself towards Myx's book trailer!

Read Myx for YOURSELF!

DaveWritesBooks.com