Sidetracked Stories – Details, episodes & analysis

In today’s conversation, Judy and I dive into the fashion fads that shaped us and how we view fashion today. From bellbottom jeans and go-go boots to conservative wear and big hair, our stories capture the essence of our past. But here's the kicker: writing these stories isn't just about preserving the past; it's about exploring what these memories reveal about us and how they shape our present lives. With curiosity and reflection, we uncover real gems about ourselves. And let me tell you, we're all in for this introspective journey!

This summer, the Sidetracked Sisters will be blogging and talking about topics that resonate deeply with us. We hope they resonate with you too! We'll explore health and wellness, personal development, family, relationships, retirement, hobbies, leisure, and more. Come September, we'll narrow things down based on your feedback.

So, tune in for some juicy writing and fascinating conversations. Let's make the next chapter of our lives the best one yet! Now, here we go…

Read our blog at https://sidetrackedsisters.com/

Watch the conversation at https://youtu.be/EIbhk9RqfCg

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In today’s conversation, Judy and I discuss the writings the Sidetracked Sisters did this week about "A Funny Memory of Childhood," and let me tell you, the stories were golden! Three of them were about our kids or grandkids, and only one was a personal trip down memory lane. We laughed a lot, reminiscing about these priceless moments. They were fantastic to capture on paper, but here's the kicker: writing these stories isn't just about preserving the past. It's also about digging deep to see what these memories reveal about us and how they still shape our lives today. With a bit of curiosity and reflection, we can uncover some real gems about ourselves. And let me tell you, we're all in for this introspective journey!

During the summer weeks, the Sidetracked Sisters will be blogging and talking about topics that really resonate. We hope they resonate with you too! We'll dive into health and wellness, personal development, family, relationships, retirement, hobbies, leisure, and more. Then, come September, we'll narrow things down based on your feedback.

So, tune in for some juicy writing and interesting conversations. Let's make the next chapter of our lives the best one yet! 

Now, here we go…

#SelfReflection #Curiosity #PersonalGrowth #Storytelling #MemoirWriting #FamilyStories #LegacyWriting #Introspection #LifeLessons #ChildhoodMemories #PodcastLife #WritingCommunity #SelfDiscovery #FunnyMemories

Welcome to episode 168 of the Sidetracked Stories podcast, where we dive into the wisdom of Mark Twain's timeless advice: "If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. And if your job is to eat two frogs, eat the biggest one first."Today, Michelle and I embark on a journey inspired by this quote as we explore the insights from Brian Tracy's book, 'Eat That Frog.' Join us as we dissect the notion of tackling those 'ugly frogs' and devouring even the most daunting challenges head-on. We delve into the concept of having a 'frog-eating partner' and how it can elevate our pursuit of goals. Tune in as we share personal anecdotes and discuss how these principles resonate in our lives, propelling us towards our aspirations and keeping us steadfast on our journey."

Get free monthly writing prompts and more information about our Sidetracked Legacies membership ⁠⁠at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://sidetrackedsisters.com/

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"I vow to stand by your side when the zombie apocalypse comes and should you be turned into one, I promise to let you bite me, so I can too be one and, therefore, stay by your side forever." --Tamara Sanon (contributor at YourTango.com) In today's episode, the Sidetracked Sisters pay homage to a popular wedding month (June) by reminiscing about wedding days.  It's a topic that has never before come up in any of our writings. At first, we thought it would be difficult to write about wedding days in an interesting way...But when we put pens to paper and fingers to keyboards, we found fun memories in abundance.  So, listen in as we talk about dresses, pictures, music, and cakes. We get into the fun little details that make the day memorable (with or without zombies).

"Sometimes," my mother went on, "I think of white dresses as a way of starting over. They're sort of a way of wiping the whole slate clean. Just like what happens in the wintertime when the snow comes. It wipes away everything in preparation for a new year, a new spring." --Mary Pflum Peterson (author of White Dresses: A Memoir of Love and Secrets, Mothers and Daughters)

Today I'm talking with Beaver Dam, WI native Mary Pflum!

Mary began her journalism career in New York at CNN where she had the opportunity to report from Istanbul, Berlin, and Atlanta. She was the CNN Bureau Chief in Turkey, and then she moved on to ABC News/Good Morning America.

She is currently a reporter and producer for NBC News. 

During her carried and exciting career, she's won 5 Emmies, 2 Edward R Murrows, a Peabody, a DuPont, and a WGA Award.

She's covered presidential elections, the Oscars, Hurricane Katrina, the London bombings, royal weddings, the death of Pople John Paul II, and the political rise of Barak Obama.

Today, we talk about her amazing book White Dresses: A Memoir of Love and Secrets, Mothers and Daughters. It looks into Mary's complicated--and loving--family through the lens of the white dresses that the women in her family have worn on special occasions. 

You can find her and see what she's up to at  http://www.marypflumpeterson.com/

and on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/mary.pflum

"Yes, sitting in your car alone in your pajamas, chowing down on your favorite fast food and super-sized soda while rapping along to songs about drugs and money is a completely valid and oftentimes necessary form of self-care."  --@Marrage and Martinis

NEVER have I done any of these things, but I think the visual is hysterical!

This week, the Sidetracked Sisters got together to write about Self-Care.

In our discussion, we get into Judy's luxurious foot rubs, Sandy's sanity-filled gardening and reading, Michelle's napping and treating herself to Life Coaching, and my ability to "stop and smell the roses" (or dandelions) while on long walks. We also get into kicking up our feet at the cottage and enjoying something called a "sound bath". 

But the real question we grapple with is "Does Netflix binging...count. as. self-care?"

"If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased."  --Maya Angelou

Legacy writing is a creative process that we HOPE our kids and grandkids will appreciate someday down the road! Today's guest, my cousin, Marcia Hero, isn't recording her life using only a pen and paper or a laptop. Instead, she is a visual artist who uses a variety of mediums to do this.

Artists, writers, journalers, and storytellers, are each making a legacy in their own way. What stories do we have to tell? What lessons are we feeling the need to share? How do we want to be remembered?

In today's episode, Marcia talks about her creative journey. We get into the importance and value she places on the small community she has with 3 other artists who together call themselves "The Martini Girls". She talks about art journaling as a way to play, to express yourself, and as a chronicle of your life.

There are so many similarities between legacy writing and expressing yourself through artistic endeavors...

Here are links to the groups and sites that Marcia referenced during our interview:

Wisconsin Visual Artists  The oldest continuous art group in Wisconsin, formerly named Wisconsin Painters and Sculptors  This group accepts beginners through professionals, in just about any fine art medium, including photography and book arts.  https://www.wisconsinvisualartists.org

League of Milwaukee Artists  2nd oldest group in Wisconsin.  Acceptance into the group is by application and jury of artwork.  https://www.milwaukeeartists.org/

Wisconsin Pastel Artists  This group's members work only in chalk pastel.  Accepts beginners through professionals.https://www.wisconsinpastelartists.com

On-line courses:

https://jeanneoliver.com/course-home/

https://www.fredbellpaintings.com/book-online

https://www.artsybohemian.com/

The Martini Girls Facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/95932916063

My Facebook fine art page:  https://www.facebook.com/mherosart

My personal FB page:  https://www.facebook.com/marcia.hero

Would you describe yourself as a quantrelle? Are you a bold woman who loves deeply, someone who lets go of pressure and false identity to follow your heart?

Or, maybe you are a novaturient kind of person who desires or seeks effective change in your life, behavior, or situation.

Perhaps you would describe yourself simply as a philocalist--a lover of beauty...one who finds and appreciates beauty in all things. 

Today the Sidetracked Sisters talk about our Legacy Writing topic "3 Words to Describe Yourself". No one used any fancy words to describe themselves. But the words we did use felt real and meaningful. 

In this discussion, we explore Michelle's qualities of organized and jokester, Judy's qualities of integrity and sensitivity, Sandy's snarkiness and persistence, and my desire to be adventurous.

"You already know the story that you should be telling that will break the chains of your past and bring healing to your present. This healing creates a ripple effect out towards your future, as well as to those around you." --Codi Chen

Today I am interviewing Codi Chen! She is the co-owner, with her wife, Renee, of HeartWorks Writing. She loves traveling, coaching writers, editing, and all things writing. 

I'm talking with her about her interesting writing journey. We get into her suggestions for writers who have challenging stories to tell and what to do if others have different memories of a story event.

She also gives some tips to solve writer's block, what to look for when you want to find a sacred group or writing community, and how to set yourself up to give and receive feedback effectively.

Codi can be found...

at her website- www.HeartWorksW.com

on Instagram- @codielizabeth

and Facebook- facebook.com/codi.thompson

"You'll never be bored when you try something new. There's really no limit to what you can do." --Dr. Seuss

I have to admit that writing about the topic, "My Greatest Fear" is NOT for the faint of heart!

Besides writing, and sharing about a challenging topic, this new format of the four of us all on one Zoom call is taking some getting used to. Thank you for joining us for what is, at times, a HOT MESS!

Today the Sidetracked Sisters are talking about storms, car crashes, loss, shame, and aging. (Sounds like a real party--right?)

Welcome to our world as we share, laugh, and cry (but mostly laugh) about the stuff that keeps us up at night...