Fellow empaths of the world, 2020 has been… rough, to say the least. If you’re an empath (AKA, the kind of person who feels everything extra deeply, and/or finds themselves being highly perceptible to others’ emotional states, etc), then this year has been a challenge. From all the doom and gloom in the news and our communities to the seeming “this-will-never-end”-ness of it all, you find yourself asking, “HOW am I supposed to get through this?” Well, empath, I have a simple yet powerful secret to tell you— a truth that’s helped me, an empath myself, many a time— “you CAN do hard things.”

You can do hard things. You can get through this.

Just think about it. The world has never been a perfect (or even ideal) place, but you’ve survived 100% of your worst days. The human race has weathered The Great Depression, World Wars, plagues, and much worse in many cases— and in many ways, the world has gradually become a better place. We’ve persevered, we’ve made it through.

I’m not saying any of those things were good things— they certainly were not. I am saying, though, that even when the world is scary and all too real, we have found ways to overcome, persevere, and gradually (though not always linearly) make the world a better place for all of us to be in the end.

Perhaps this year’s focus on public health will create a new era of health-consciousness and caring. Perhaps this year’s focus on fighting for what’s right and creating a more equitable society for everyone will actually shape and mold policies, ideas, and activism for years to come. Perhaps you’ll survive it all, and live to see the beautiful, better world on the other side. In fact, I know you will. I believe you will. I believe I will, and that somehow, even though this year has been full of pain and difficulty for so many, we will come out on the other side better for it, in the end.

This may all sound cliche, but I needed the reminder as much as anyone. Empaths, take heart and always remember— even in a year as crazy as 2020, you can do hard things. You got this.

Xoxo, MM.

Before I list what I’m thankful for this holiday, I’d like to point all my friends to this website so they can learn/acknowledge what Native lands they occupy. The more you know, the better educated you are, the more you can understand the history of these lands and the injustices that have been committed over many years thereon. Link: https://native-land.ca

What I’m thankful for (yes, even in 2020)

Now, since it is Thanksgiving and this has become a common time to share what we’re thankful for, I want to do exactly that. I have so much to be thankful for this season, and always. 

For one, I am thankful that in 2020 my family and I have stayed healthy and employed. Those things cannot be taken for granted, our good health or our fortunate employment situations, for sure. We have been so lucky and so very blessed, especially in a year of such turbulence and uncertainty. So, I am thankful for good health and steady employment!

Second, I am thankful for my loving husband and my entire support system of family and friends. I know some of the best people in the world, that is for certain, and I’m beyond thankful for all of them. From the best parents to the best husband and friends a person could ask for, I’m exceptionally fortunate in this arena. And yes, this includes fur-pals like our cat Ashe, dog Silver, and snake, Sketti. 

Last but not least, I’m thankful for good books, warm coffee, and all the other tiny things in life that make it more enjoyable. I’m thankful for theatre arts, for film, for written word, for paintings, for music, for good food, for ALL of the things I’m lucky enough to sense and smell and hear and see and taste every day. Existence is a pretty rare and cool circumstance in and of itself, when you really think about it, and I hope I never take a moment of it for granted (especially after a year like this, when so much has been put into perspective for us all!)

So, I hope you all have a safe, warm, holiday full of love no matter how you celebrate. I hope you have things to be thankful for, and that life brings you more in abundance as the year comes to an end. Cheers. ❤️

Xoxo, MM.

This week (on the 19th, to be more precise) my husband Andrew and I will be celebrating our third wedding anniversary. Having been together for over five years and now married for three, it feels like we’ve known each other for a lifetime (but also for just a few moments!) Time has flown by, and though we’re only three years into our marriage journey we’ve learned a few valuable lessons, and I assume we’ll just keep on learning, growing, and changing as time goes on— and I’m so thankful to simply be along for the ride.

Our third year of marriage: a pandemic, a dog, and more

In our three years of marriage Andrew and I have done a lot. We’ve traveled to nearly 10 countries together, moved to a new city wherein we knew absolutely no one (and had to build our social circles + careers from the ground up), raised our cat from kitten to adult, adopted a dog and a snake, laughed, cried, and everything in between— and though it’s only been a few years, we’ve learned so much. Let me list a few of the most important (IMO) lessons we’ve learned, here:

1. Always laugh together. Don’t ever let the jokes, the laughter, the lighthearted conversations and the little flirtations cease. They keep you smiling day in and day out and create a sense of community and comfort (which you and your spouse will rely on heavily during tough times, such as 2020.)

2. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Cliche´ and simple, this is a golden rule in any relationship. If something genuinely bothers you it’s always valid to express your feelings in a healthy way, but don’t sweat really small stuff. Don’t let the everyday stressors of life make you and your partner feel like your home is a battleground, when it should be your place of rest, comfort, and grounding support.

3. Always speak your truth, even if it’s hard. Yet another simple (but life-altering) solution: just say what’s on your mind, share your feelings often, and don’t keep things from one another. Even if a conversation is difficult to have, it’ll be even more difficult down the road once resentment and/or bottled-up feelings start to kick in. Air it out (in a healthy way) as often as needed, and then resolve to find a solution and move on.

We are by no means perfect (I mean, who is?) and have our fair share of squabbles over day-to-day things, but I truly believe it’s the three “golden rules” above that have made Andrew and I feel incredibly close to one another over the course of our marriage thus far. He’s my best friend. The last three years have flown by, and sometimes I wish I could slow them down a little (just to have a little more time with him), but I cherish every moment. I hope you all and your loved ones find the time and space to do the same, even in a year like this.

Xoxo, MM.

Hey everyone!

First of all, I’d like to thank everyone who’s gone on this blogging/journaling/online chronicling journey thus far. I’ve had a couple thousand unique visits to this site in the last couple months and I’m beyond excited to learn that so many people want to read/engage with my content!

That said, I’m planning to expand my Miranda Muses brand and bring even more content to you all, via another medium: video! As a full-time writer (by profession) and part-time actor (as a side-gig), my new YouTube channel will reflect not only content I’m writing here on MirandaMuses.com, but also acting content, literature content, and other English Major-esque study guides and analyses (which I’m thinking I’ll call “Miranda Muses Minutes”!), and beyond.

You can learn more by visiting my channel here. It’s still in the process of being built + new videos being created and uploaded, so bare with me as I get this ball rolling.

Again, thank you all for the constant support and I can’t wait to share my new video content with you all!

Xoxo, MM.

Halloween 2020 was bound to be different than previous years, but that doesn’t mean it had to be totally lame. This year my husband and I came up with COVID-safe solutions to celebrating Halloween (on a Saturday, during a full moon, AND the night daylight-savings time ends!) while being safe and having tons of fun. Let’s dive in!

Parking Lot of Horrors Halloween Drive-In Theatre

On Friday, October 30th, my husband and I heard about a neat Halloween experience happening at the King of Prussia Mall. The experience was called “Parking Lot Horrors,” and it featured a drive-in style movie showing, curbside concessions, and actors in spooky makeup walking around and trying to scare you as you watched whatever film was playing that night.

The night we went, ‘The Ring’ was playing, and though we’d seen it many times before we had so much fun. The film was way creepier on the big screen sitting in your car in the pitch-black darkness, with actors moving stealthily between cars and trying to scare you every so often as the film got more intense and scary. I would definitely recommend this experience even in non-COVID times, as it was tons of fun, not too expensive ($40 per car-load of people) and actually pretty spooky!

Costumes Galore!

Of course, it’s not Halloween if you don’t dress up. Instead of explaining what we dressed up as in detail, just check out these photos we snapped of this year’s costumes:

Scary Movies and a Grim Philly (Ghost) Tour

Last but not least— after a day of vibing in costume at home and enjoying apple cider mimosas and scary movies— we went out to explore the city (safely, outdoors, with masks on) and began with a “Grim Philly” ghost tour.

Grim Philly’s tours deal with more than ghosts: sex, vampires, ghosts, anything macabre was on the itinerary for the Grim Philly tour, and we seriously learned SO much about Philadelphia’s history in general (and especially its dark underbelly.) From the history of Bram Stoker’s vampire research in the city to the stories of bank robberies and unexplained Revolutionary-era ghost sightings, the tour was spooky, held in the dark of night in relatively secret parts of Old City, and super spooky and exciting. Our tour guide even gave us candy at the end, which was a nice way to top off Halloween 2020! And, yes, masks and distancing were enforced and the tours were done entirely outdoors, in small groups. Definitely a creative way to safely celebrate Halloween!

So, what did you all do for Halloween 2020? Did anyone get super creative with the kiddos, or find a fun, adult way to celebrate without all the usual parties going on? Let’s discuss, and Happy Halloween to all!

Xoxo, MM.

AKA: Self-care isn’t selfish.

Recently, I started reading for fun again. I mean, really reading. I dove head-first into Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles in September, and I’m already on Book VI, if that tells you how much I enjoy reading when I really have the time and energy to do it.

That said, finding the time and energy was surprisingly hard. Why was it hard, you ask? One reason: I am low-key addicted to social media and the Internet, which most people are these days. At least, most people in my age group -> younger are.

I would wake up and check my phone; before bed, I’d do the same. I knew it made me anxious (especially now, in 2020), and I knew something had to give. So, I started reading again. When I had the urge to check Facebook or scroll Instagram obsessively, I’d start reading instead. Before I knew it, I was head-over-heels in love with Rice’s TVC series, and my mood had improved ten-fold. So, I’m here to share with you all my greatest take-away from reading for fun (or doing anything other than social-media) again: you don’t owe anyone your emotional engagement, especially on the Internet.

Things I learned when I started reading for fun again

For one, I was reminded how much I love Anne Rice novels. But, more importantly, I learned this: you don’t *have* to engage on social media. With anyone. Ever. Not even a little bit, if you don’t want to. It’s not your obligation to do so, though society may seem to tell you otherwise; in other words, you don’t have to allow others to take up so much time and space in your mind, your emotions, and your daily schedule.

This doesn’t sound all that groundbreaking, because it’s such an obvious truth, but once I started consciously reminding myself of it, my days changed. My mood improved. I felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted. The idea that you have to engage in the online communities of Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, etc. etc. etc. is a concept 21st century society has created, and, honestly, it’s a scourge.

Don’t get me wrong— social media can be a great way to connect, and I often enjoy it. However, there’s an important caveat to it all, and it’s this: you don’t owe anyone that space in your life; and they certainly don’t always (or even usually, if we’re being honest) deserve it. So you choose who you give it to, or if you give it at all, and what you’re willing to give. That’s your choice, your power. How you spend your time and where you place your attention, your thoughts— that’s all up to YOU, social media users. 

I’m going to keep this in mind for the rest of 2020, and hopefully for many years to come. As social media evolves, I’ve found myself struggling to keep up, and I think that’s honestly OK. What do you think? Does social media stress you out? Do you need to step away for a while? Let’s discuss.

xoxo, MM.

It’s been a while since I’ve written, truly, about Philadelphia, PA. Spending most of my summer with my husband and our family in our hometown of Beckley, WV led to a summer of mostly being away, floating on the river, and working from my mom’s house. Now that we’re back in Philadelphia, however, I wanted to share some of the lovely outdoor activities we’ve engaged in since coming home. Let’s dive in—

Outdoor dining in Philadelphia: Rittenhouse Square Gems

Since Andrew and I have been back, we’ve enjoyed two exceptionally good meals in the Rittenhouse Square part of center city— namely, two lovely dinners at Pizzeria Vetri and The Dandelion, respectively.

Andrew and I met our friend Meghan at Pizzeria Vetri on a Friday evening. We had outdoor dining reservations for three, and when we arrived to the restaurant we were promptly greeted by staff in masks, with hand sanitizer a-plenty and a lovely outdoor table prepared for us on the sidewalk. It was an adorable set-up— candles and fresh springs of greenery decorating the tables— and the food was even better. We started our meal with some “pomegranate spice” cocktails (a lovely spiced pomegranate red-wine sangria!) and split a meatball calzone, and two brick-oven pizzas (one eggplant, one mushroom.) Needless to say the food was fantastic, and the eggplant pizza was particularly delicious with fresh eggplant, oregano, and san marzano tomatoes on top.

Another lovely meal Andrew and I enjoyed (on a quieter, Tuesday night) was at one of our old favorite haunts— The Dandelion, a modern, upscale take on the traditional British gastropub located just off of the park itself. There, I enjoyed the best hot toddy I’d ever had (affectionately named “Turn of the Toddy” on the drink menu), and some of the best homemade ricotta and chicken paillard you could get in the city. The outdoor atmosphere here was also rather nice, with small heaters placed about the large patio area to encourage a cozy dining experience even as temperatures fall.

Jazz in the Park, and More

Speaking of Rittenhouse Square, there’s so much more than dining to mention. The park itself is full of fun (and safe!) outdoor activities, like Jazz in the Park which happens every Friday evening. After dinner on Friday, Andrew, Meghan and I took to the park immediately and enjoyed a wonderful open-air performance by a local jazz-quartet. People were laughing, dancing, and simply losing themselves in the music— a scene I hadn’t beheld in the city since early March, really.

Spending time in Philadelphia this fall has reminded me why I fell in love with it in the first place. More to come, of course, but if you haven’t been out and about in the city lately— do it. It’s alive again, and you can do so safely. It’s well worth it.

Xoxo, MM.

I’ve been all about finding fun fall activities in the Philadelphia, PA area lately, and let me just say— I wasn’t sure I believed the hype when everyone told me Linvilla Orchards was the best place to go for fall fun. However, Andrew and I did go recently, and now I’m a total believer; from pumpkin patches to a beautiful beer garden and beyond, our visit to Linvilla Orchards made for the most fun fall day we’ve had thus far this season.

A romp in the pumpkin-patch

You all know I’m a huge fall-fan, and with that comes an affinity for all things pumpkin. I LOVE the way pumpkins look as seasonal decor, and I also love to cook, bake, etc. with pumpkins and pumpkin seeds. That said, Andrew and I spent hours yesterday looking all around the Linvilla Orchards pumpkin-patch (affectionately called “Pumpkinland”), and it was wonderful.

From huge pie-pumpkins to tiny, lumpy gourds, Pumpkinland had everything. We had so much fun looking around at all the pumpkins (and other produce) and seeing all the people out and about looking for the perfect carving, baking, and painting pumpkins.

A beverage in the beer garden

Known for their yummy fall-foods (like apple cider donuts!), Linvilla Orchards also hosts a small beer garden experience on premises that allows 21+ aged customers to eat, drink, and relax after a day of pumpkin-picking. Andrew and I enjoyed a crisp cider and some yummy cheese fries in the beer garden, and it was the perfect way for the adult members of each family to end their day (or take a break in between activities.)

What’s more, there were plenty of activities we didn’t even have time to do, like visit all the farm animals, try some of the carnival-style food stands, pick fresh apples, etc. We would love to come back ASAP to do all these other activities, but for now a day of pumpkin-picking and enjoying the relaxing beer garden atmosphere was just what the doctor ordered.

So, what do you like to do in and around Philadelphia, PA this time of year? Let me know— I’m always open to ideas!

Xoxo, MM.

It likely goes without saying that the recent pandemic has made everything, well, more difficult in 2020. Holidays likely won’t look the same this year, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still celebrate somehow! Read on to learn how my family and I will be spending our Halloween in Philadelphia, PA (complete with a ghost tour, a movie marathon, and more!)

Celebrating Halloween 2020 (Safely!) in Philadelphia

Philadelphia is a really old city. That’s not news to most, but what might be is the amount of paranormal interest ghost-hunters and the like have invested in the city itself. My husband and I recently discovered Grim Philly Tours, and we’re booked to go on one on Halloween night. It’s a totally outdoor, masks-required event, making it the perfect way to celebrate Halloween (even during a pandemic.) The tour boasts tales of ghosts, vampires, and more, so we’re a little excited, if you can’t tell.

Another (less spooky, more family-friendly) place to safely celebrate Halloween and the fall season in general is Linvilla Orchards! Just outside of the city, Linvilla Orchards is famous for its apple-picking, pumpkin patches, and farmer’s market full of fresh apple cider and tons of other goodies. My husband and I also plan to go here sometime this month, just to diversify our fall events a bit (and go beyond just the spooky things!)

Last but not least, there are the good, old-fashioned parts of Halloween you can always celebrate from home: wearing cool costumes and watching horror movies. I plan to dress up as a vampire (a-la Interview with the Vampire) this year and throw a little Zoom horror-movie-watch-party with our family and friends all Halloween day.

So, what are you doing for Halloween in 2020? Go on a ghost tour, visit a pumpkin patch (and carve some spooky jack-o-lanterns!), dress up, watch scary movies? I would love to hear everyone’s ideas for celebrating Halloween during such a strange time— I’m sure we can still make it a fun, safe holiday if we just try!

Xoxo, MM.

Yet another post about my hometown of Beckley, WV, but this time it’s not just about the great outdoors. As fall comes (and then winter), I’ve been looking for more things to do indoors that still feel safe in 2020, as well as maintain a nice atmosphere, good service, and unique flair. That said, the date night my husband and I enjoyed a few nights ago at Dobra Zupas and The Chocolate Moose was really nice, and we felt safe the entire time. Read on then check out these Beckley, WV staples for yourself!

Dobra Zupas: a locally-owned micro-brewery and restaurant

When one thinks of finer dining in West Virginia, they likely think of The Greenbrier Restaurant, The Char, or the dining available at Stonewall Jackson Resort. However, nestled right in Beckley, WV (just a minute’s drive from the local VA hospital) is Dobra Zupas— a restaurant I’d heard about for years, yet only dined at more recently. Zupas menu consists of craft food and craft beer, and the establishment is housed in a historic home. The atmosphere is lovely, the bar carries a huge selection of fine wines and craft cocktails, and the restaurant features a micro-brewery in which they create their own craft brews to serve to guests.

My husband and I enjoyed an appetizer of fried goat cheese and two glasses of Merlot, as well as a light main course of salads and sandwiches. Next time we plan to come a bit more hungry and try the signature entrees (such as chicken risotto or a handmade brick-oven pizza)— I seriously regret that we didn’t come with more of an appetite, because every dish being delivered to each table looked incredible. Moreover, the waiters all wore masks (as did the customers when they weren’t seated at their table), encouraged us to use hand sanitizer upon entering, and the tables were very well spaced out. It was a lovely atmosphere that didn’t compromise safety or service, and all around I’d give our experience a 10/10!

The Chocolate Moose: Beckley’s best coffee shop and roastery

The Chocolate Moose has a special place in mine and my husbands’ hearts, because we actually used to work there in college. Putting my bias aside, even before I worked at The Chocolate Moose (and now, even years after leaving) I could (and still can) state that they make the best, craft-roasted (and fair trade!) coffee I’ve ever had. From the special “Mothman” dark roast blend to the more mild “John Henry” (which my husband and I served at our wedding), you cannot go wrong with a cup of fair-trade, literally roasted in-house cup of coffee from The Chocolate Moose. (Oh, and while you’re there you can check out the business’s adjacent: Mountain State Miniature Golf and Outside-In Climbing Gym!)

We’ll have plenty more reviews to come of places we drink and dine at in southern WV very soon, I’m sure, so stay tuned— and, in the meantime, check out Dobra Zupas for Sunday brunch, or daily lunch, dinner or even just cocktails and appetizers with your pals, then finish your evening (or start your morning) with a smooth cup of Joe from The Chocolate Moose. Shop local, and enjoy!

xoxo, MM.