I think all four Sidetracked Sisters would agree with writer Stephen King when he says, "Books and movies are like apples and oranges. They both are fruit, but completely different."

Today Judy, Sandy, Michelle, and Lisa talk about the unforgettable books and movies that have made an impression on our souls. We remember favorite childhood books, movies that made us cry, books that were read to us, and movies that still give us the heeby-jeebies (thank you Stephen King).

Not only do some of us prefer books over movies or movies over books, but we also get into which genres are our favorites. Maybe you will connect with a long-forgotten Nancy Drew mystery that you haven't thought about in forever. Or perhaps our discussion will bring up some thoughts about an old horror movie that you wish you COULD stop thinking about! 

Well, we did it! The Sidetracked Sisters have a book! We got together. We wrote words on paper. We drank margaritas. We laughed and argued. We wrote more words and sorted through lots and lots of old pictures. Then Michelle did her computer magic and now we have a book of thoughts and memories to share with our loved ones.

English writer Neil Gaimon was once asked how to write a book. His response was "This is how you do it; you sit down at the keyboard and you put one word down after another until it is done. It's that easy, and that hard."

Michelle, Sandy, Judy, and I talk about our book in this episode. Then we get into our plans for the not-too-distant future. Buckle up friends, we want to take YOU along on this legacy train. We want to make it easy for you to get your own legacy project going.

Another British writer, journalist Sheeren El Feki said, "If you really want to know yourself, start by writing a book". So perhaps there is an even deeper goal to our writing. We want to share our legacy with our communities, friends, and families. We want to be seen and heard and know that our voice matters. And, we want to know ourselves...

"Don't ever feel bad for making a decision about your own life that upsets other people. You are not responsible for their happiness. You're responsible for your own happiness." The Mind's Journal

I look at this quote and think these words SOUND so good. But I don't know that I could ever really believe them. My life feels so connected to my friends and family. I want us ALL to be happy.

Today the Sidetracked Sisters are talking about decisions that they wish had been made differently.

Only Sandy had no regrets and had a hard time coming up with alternative choices

Judy wonders what her life would have been like if she would have gone to college instead of getting married right after high school.

Lisa is the only one who writes about indecision and how giving your power to another can have significant consequences. 

"My life is made up of words layered upon words." --Connie Kinsey

I've always loved writing. Not the kind of writing that is assigned, not the kind that is graded. When I'm in a writing habit, I like how I watch my life for nuggets of inspiration. When I'm regularly writing, I look at my surroundings and listen to people in a more interesting way.

Today I am talking with memoirist Connie Kinsey. She is a writer who writes in a variety of ways and places. Connie is a former military brat who has put down deep roots in a converted barn on a dirt road at the top of a hill in West Virginia. For the past 18 months, she's been one of two Writers-in-Residence for the Museum of the American Military Family. With other folks, they crafted a book that looks at gender, religion, race, identity, culture, and ethnicity in military environments. She has also had writing published online in longridgereview.com hippocampusmagazine.com, westvirginiaville.com, and medium.com

You can also check out a digital essay produced for the GRAICE Project of the Museum of the American Military Family here. 

In our interview, we talk about the value of reading your writing out loud to yourself, the value of writer's groups, and the obligation we have to support and encourage others who write or do art and who are sharing themselves with the world.

You can find Connie on her website- https://wvfurandroot.com/

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/trconnie and https://www.facebook.com/ConnieKinseyWriter

Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/hillbillydiva/

Twitter- @TRconnie

According to my Google search, we shouldn't call it an "accident" when a car collides with another car. Government officials and safety advocates want us to use the phrase, "car crash" because they believe that the "accident" trivializes the fact that m;ost are caused by human error or negligence and are preventable. 

In our discussion today, we get into our memorable crashes. Three of us were in cars where someone fell asleep, and I was an inattentive driver. Fortunately, non of our stories involve any human casualties...only some crunched-up cars and one destroyed deer crossing sign.

"Life is not lost by dying; life is lost minute by minute, day by dragging day, in all the thousand, small, uncaring ways." --Stephen Vincent Benet

I've always been the kind of person who wants to limit mindless, activities that keep me as a consumer, on the sidelines, a watcher. I prefer to live a more active and creative life. I feel good about the day when I've contributed to the world--whether by weeding my garden, walking the dos, writing a blog entry, or coaching a client.

Today I'm talking with Matthew Dicks. Matt is a bestselling novelist, nationally recognized storyteller, playwright, communications consultant, award-winning elementary schoolteacher, humor and advice columnist, minister, wedding DJ, and professional public speaker. He has won bucket-loads of Moth GrandSLAM story competitions and, together with his wife, Elysha Dicks, created the organization Speak Up to help others share their stories. 

Earlier this month, his latest book, the inspirational and practical "Someday is TODAY was published!

In this interview, we talk about the book and the concepts he lays out to help us move forward in our creative lives. A few of the concepts we cover are..."Homework for Life", "Your 100-year-old Self", and getting better by making terrible things. 

When asked about his legacy, Matt believes that "Hardwork will overcome talent every time."

You can get more Matthew Dicks, his storytelling, and his inspiration...

Website: https://matthewdicks.com/

Blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog/

Check out his video about "Someday is TODAY" here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmXt7ap5RKo

Google Matthew Dicks on Youtube to hear some of his stories, and see him on the TED and "The Moth" stages! For example here are two to get you started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7p329Z8MD0 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N3J4Q5c1C1w

Books: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2854932.Matthew_Dicks

You can buy his books in ALL the places...

"Everyone can rock a bikini, swimsuit, unicorn onesie...whatever floats your boat. If you wear it with confidence, you will look hot." --Iskra Lawrence

Now I would love to believe this "plus-size" fitness model! Ms. Lawrence is gorgeous at 5'9" and 194 pounds!!! But...(sigh)

The Sidetracked Sisters got together this week to write and talk about swimsuits and body image. It was interesting how we seem to not really like our bodies--lower weight NOR higher weight. Judy was the only one who has ever been comfortable in a swimsuit. 

We also got into the lessons we learned, early in life, about beauty in general.

So, you do know what it takes to have a "beach body" right???

1. You have a body. 2. You go to the beach.

I believe this, but I would like bring the focus to the second part of Iskra's quote. Confidence. Aubrey Hepburn also commented on this little caveat when she said, "The most attractive accessory a girl can have is confidence."

"You can always tell who the strong women are...they are the ones you see building one another up, instead of tearing each other down."

Today my guest is Sherri Schultz. She is not only my neighbor and a dear friend but also a nurse and an entrepreneur. Her Facebook group is called Tranquil Waters Krystals. 

In this episode, we talk about what drew her to rocks and crystals. Then we get into how she began her crystal business and her thoughts, plans, hopes, and fears as she thinks about the future. We get into the balance between a stable job and a passion that brings in a surprising amount of money. She shares about the first time she ever did a Facebook Live, how her Facebook live views have grown, and about the marathon sessions she sometimes gets into. 

Sherri is building a legacy for herself of financial stability,

a legacy for her children of entrepreneurship, and 

a legacy for other business owners of fun, responsibility, 

and the value of fierce support and encouragement.

You can find Sherri on Facebook at Tranquil Waters Krystals

I love this quote by Samuel Johnson, "The true measure of a man is how he treats someone who can do him absolutely no good." 

It makes me think about the beautiful people in my life and those who have come and gone...for a variety of reasons. But those who have a lasting and deep positive impression have treated me in a way that made me feel unique and seen

Today we are talking about a memorable man in our lives. Three of the Sidetracked Sisters talk about their dads and one talks about a boyfriend from high school.

We talk about HOW these men made us feel special, and how they impressed or surprised us. Sometimes we recognized traits that we found appealing in our boyfriends ar the same qualities in our father. We then wrap things up by discussing how these men showed affection and made us feel...taken care of.