Miracle Myx Abandoned

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"You left me," Myx said.

"It was unintentional," I said.

"You left me."

"I was momentarily distracted, Myx. That's all. You should have spoken up."

"I'm a book, Dave. Speaking up is largely what you make of it."

Towards the end of our visit to the Hall of Flame Museum in Phoenix, I had taken this photo of Myx. Something else got my attention--I was reading of all the valiant firefighters who had sacrificed in the line of duty. My father had been a firefighter for 33 years, and my brother is an active member of the local department now--so, seeing this exhibit meant something personal to me.

I finished my tour, bought some souvenirs, and was about to walk out when I stopped and literally said, "Where's Myx?" The title of this blog finally had some tangible relevance!

The jaded and weathered retired firefighter that ran the whole show by himself saw my distress and asked what was wrong. I told him I forgot my book. He asked, in a bored voice, if it was the one I had been taking photos of outside! Like that happened every day!

I ran back and found Myx patiently (for him) waiting near the bell.

"You left me," he said.

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Miracle Myx Bears All

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"Maybe I should have gotten a better angle on 'Mokey's' hat!" I thought I would cut short any of Myx's insults about my photo by stating the obvious.

"Smokey the Bear, Smokey the Bear!" Myx sang.

"Myx, how would you know that song?"

"Prowlin' and a-growlin' and a-sniffin' the air--"

"You're not going to make any cracks about being afraid of a bear hug?"

"He can find a fire before it starts to flame--"

"Or that he's got a bit of a paunch?"

"That's why they call him Smokey,"

"Or that he--"

"Dave, together on 3: one, two, three--"

So, in a nearly-deserted museum in Phoenix, Arizona, Myx and I belted out the last line to a song I had heard so many times in my childhood:

"That was how he got his name!"

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Miracle Myx Ducks Out

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"I'm sure you think this is funny," Myx said.

"I think it's interesting," I said.

"These ducks are eying me like I'm a piece of bread."

"They're ignoring you, Myx. You have nothing to worry about."

We were in a large park just beside Hi Corbett Field. It had a recreation area for kids and a large pond filled with wildlife: swans, geese, and ducks. I thought Myx would like to mingle.

"Do you hear them? They're planning something."

"Myx, do you mean to tell me you can speak 'duck' now?"

"I know 'danger' in any language," Myx said.

"The biggest danger you're in is getting fowl poop on you!"

"OH SH%#! Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Radiates

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"This is just wrong!" Myx said.

"I'm sure I'll be fine," I answered.

"YOU! You'll be fine! What about me? They put this sign here for a reason: it's to keep sensible people away from this area."

"And what's the key word you just used?" I'd jar Myx back to reality.

"Errr ... sensible? I forgot who I was dealing with."

"Silly book! Besides, I know a little about radiation, and you have nothing to worry about," I said.

We were outside the Titan Missile Museum in Sahuarita, AZ. I wasn't going to let Myx spoil a good shot with groundless fears.

"If it's so safe, Dave--why don't you get closer?"

"Hmmm? Maybe I am sensible!" I said while I snapped this photo.

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Miracle Myx Gets Poisoned

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"Now--this is where I should be!"

I liked the sound of Myx today. Enthusiasm, exuberance, optimism--well, the lack of insults or arguing was enough for me.

"I have to agree with you, Myx. A mystery like you and a great mystery bookstore seem to be a perfect combination," I said.

We were at The Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ. It's an independent bookstore specializing in mysteries and thrillers. Their slogan is "It's more than a bookstore, it's an experience."--and I can tell you from my (I mean our) experience, that this is indeed true.

I was there to introduce my mystery, MIRACLE MYX, and drop off a Kunati catalog. The staff was very helpful and interested, and I was invited to send them an ARC (Advanced Review Copy). The ultimate goal is for The Poisoned Pen to make Myx available to their visitors.

"A great bookstore like this is the perfect place for a great mystery like me!"

"Myx, that's just cocky," I said.

"And, your point is ...?"

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Miracle Myx Gets Rockie

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"What are you doing in the photo?" Myx asked.

"I thought I'd show I was out here in Tucson too!"

Myx, for all his complaining about having to take a daily photo for this blog, was pretty possessive about the spotlight. Any time anyone or anything else shared the pixel acreage, Myx let me know about it. That included me double!

"You got a lotta ... errr ... nerve wearing that Red Sox hat around here," Myx said.

We were outside Hi Corbett Field, the spring training home of the Colorado Rockies in Tucson. The Rockies were coming off a fantastic 20 plus-game-winning streak at the end of last year's season--only to go on to a heartbreaking 4-game sweep in the World Series by my Red Sox.

"They probably won't notice my hat, and I'm sure it's all forgive and forget," I said.

"I'm not going with you to the exhibition game tomorrow yanno--especially if you wear the Sox shirt along with that hat. You're gonna be a stranger in a strange land, Dave."

I had tickets for the Rockies vs. Angels game the next day. Of course I was going to represent the Red Sox in a show of good sporting fun.

"I'm sure everyone will greet me with the respect due the World Series Champions," I said.

"What planet are you getting transmissions from, Dave? And, I'm beggin' ya--don't say that line you've been trying out."

"You mean: 'This is the fifth Colorado Rockies exhibition game I've seen--counting the 4 World Series games!'"

"That's the one. Who's gonna take care of me after you get your ass kicked?" He sounded serious.

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Miracle Myx Goes West

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"How do you like the Saguaro, Myx?"

"It's pronounced 'sah-wah-roh' and I like it just fine as long as you keep me away from the pricklies."

We were in the Tucson, Arizona area for a neat little vacation. The nights were very cool, but as soon as the sun came up, it was comfortably warm. The air had a different feel than back East--thinner and more drinkable, every breath refreshing.

"That's what I said: Saguaro."

"You pronounced it 'seg-gay-roh'--not even close," Myx said.

Myx loves to feel superior, which he is--but it makes for annoying outings to be constantly corrected.

"Anyway," I said, "that sah-wah-roh (I was careful this time to pronounce it to Myx's satisfaction) is a magnificent product of nature. That's probably over 50 years old."

"Technically, in your sad underestimation, you're right. It's over 50 years old since this variety of cactus doesn't even start to grow an arm until it's 75 years old. So you do the math," Myx said.

"I refuse to do math in such a beautiful setting," I said.

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Miracle Myx Escalates

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"Going up!" I said it with my cheery voice.

"This doesn't look silly, does it," Myx said.

"Not a bit." I sounded confident as usual; it's best when Myx asks a question.

"How come the people behind you are smiling?"

"They're friendly?"

"Yeah, that's it," Myx said.

"I bet lots of people take photos of their book."

"Really?"

"Sounded good," I said.

"Going up!" Myx said. He had decided to play along.

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Miracle Myx Goes Global

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"I'm on top of the world!"

"Feeling pretty good, Myx?" I asked

"I'm on top of the world!"

"You like it up there?"

"I'm on top of the world!"

"You don't care that it's cold and dark?"

"I'm on top of the world!"

"Don't you think that may sound arrogant if taken the wrong way?" I know how Myx gets when he wants to drive home a point.

"I'm on top of the world!"

"That's all you're going to say today, isn't it?"

"I'm on ... no, because I want Janee to know I had a great time and that at least she treats me the way you should!" Myx said.

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Miracle Myx Looks Drained

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"Lookin' good, Myx"

I had found a half-buried drain by accident along the road. We (Myx & I) had just finished taking some breathtaking, innovative, and artistic photos (OK--they're like the stuff you've been seeing all along)--and hadn't seen this perfect photo op until the return trip to the car. Luckily, my infallible esthetic sense kicked in and a new masterpiece was about to be born.

"I think I hear water," Myx said.

"It's been dry for a month. I don't think there's much chance of that."

"You never know--I remember once, there was a dam, and--"

"This is going to be a good shot: leaves, sun, a drain covered by debris--all the elements for a dramatic shot that will last in the memories of our readers for years!"

"Who are you trying to convince?" Myx asked.

"Myself," I answered.

"I hear water."

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