"Cooking is like love. It should be entered into with abandon or not at all." --Harriet VanHorne (American newspaper columnist and ratio/t.v. critic)

As I'm writing this introduction, the smell of something baking, cooking, or slightly burning is reaching me in my office. I'm sure that my daughter Aubrey is experimenting in the kitchen and making a mess--if nothing else!

The Sidetracked Sisters got together this week and wrote down a favorite family recipe and a memory to go along with it. I got down grandma Is' Rhubarb Custard Pie and the accompanying schnibble "cookies". Sandy tries to recreate her mother's Creamed Chicken. Judy goes back to her young adulthood for an experimental Chile Relleno Casserole and Michelle shares the Cajun Cheese Soup that EVERYONE in our family loves. loves. loves.

Oh, by the way, it is my 13-year-old daughter who is making deep-fried Oreos. We went to the county fair this past weekend and she was inspired. When I asked her where she got the recipe, she said, "I didn't." 

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"I didn't have a recipe," she replied.

"How did you make the coating?"

"Pancake batter."

Huh. Who needs heirloom recipes when you can confidently create your own delicacies from scratch? She definitely enters into her cooking with abandon! I think I have a chef in the making...

"It's in hearing the same stories over and over again that helps build bonds, not just in families, but in groups of friends. It's in whatever community you have that those legacies exist." --Laura Packer (storyteller, coach, real-time dreamer)

Laura is preaching to the choir!!! This is exactly what the Sidetracked Sisters have been working on and talking about for years. 

In our interview, Laura and I talk about how it is the everyday stuff that is so important to capture when talking with loved ones and recording stories. We so often think about the big things in life, weddings, births, and jobs as important. Or we look to historical events as the big stories to record. But it's really the little things, the private and intimate happenings that bring that connection with others.

We talk about some of our own stories and the people who inspire us. Laura shares suggestions for telling and recording a good story. She gets into how you can find your voice and deepen your creativity.

Laura is in all the places on the web!

Get Laura's book at https://www.amazon.com/Laura-Packer/e/B07MJCQ4JM%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share

You can find her on her website, facebook, and here and here on Instagram.

Laura is also available on Patreon, where you can support, and get additional goodies from her!

"Cannibals say we taste like pork, and bacon is my spirit animal, so we are probably delicious." --Jenny Lawson (blogger and memoirist)

As you can see by the title of this episode and the quote I chose to start  with...this episode is a bit off the beaten path.

"Our writing doesn't always have to be productive...or a part of something else. It is important for writers to have that freedom, that exercise of writing."  --Annie Toro Lopez Boy, do I understand what she is talking about! Sometimes it feels so good to write with no expectations or goals! When I was a kid, I loved the idea of writing in a diary. As I got older, it became a journal. But that feeling of just writing for me, to get my thoughts down for its own sake has always felt powerful. Annie was older than the average when she graduated from college and became a middle school Literacy and History teacher. But then, a near-death experience caused her to re-evaluate her life and move in new directions.  Now, Annie is more interested in exploring and sharing her artistic loves. We talk about her photography and writing. She is the author of The Writer's Handbook: An Indespensibnle Grammar and Style Guide. She is also the owner of Seeds to Savor Farm where she is passionate about the legacy work of seed preservation.  In this interview, we get into her thoughts about writing your legacy from the perspective of a freelance teacher, writer, and proofreader. She has a beautiful story and a love for others who are interested in preserving legacies of all kinds.  Annie recommends this handbook for writers. She also loves Mary Karr's book.  You can find Annie Toro Lopez on FaceBook and at HighPrairiePress.org. Her book can be found here.

"If a magic genie grants you three wishes, but he won't let you wish for more wishes...wish for more genies." (shutupimtalking.com)

When the four Sidetracked Sisters got together to write, our topic was "Three Wishes". It sounds so simple. But only two of us followed the directions and came up with three. 

Today we are talking about making wishes. Health, wealth, happiness, and success are at the top of most lists of this kind. But Judy goes rogue and talks about winning the lottery. Lisa is a holdout against wishing, on principle.

We get into what we'd do with money, travel, and happiness, well...that was tricky. Then we are all over the place when it comes to success. 

But the way, what is the difference between a wish, a dream, and a prayer? I don't think we ever agreed on the definitions and distinctions. Maybe you have some words of wisdom that you'd like to add to the conversation. Come on over to our Facebook page for Sidetracked Sisters. Like and follow us. We'd love to here what YOU think!

"If you decide that you want to do something, find a way. Share on social. PRACTICE! You might not be an award winner or get a grammy, not a NY Times bestseller or get a Nobel prize..but you are doing. the. thing!" --Lesley McShane 

I was once told something very similar. It doesn't matter how fast you run, if you get out there and move on your two feet a little faster than a walk...you are a runner. A runner is someone who runs. Nothing more, nothing less.

Today I am talking with Lesley McShane. She is a blogger, podcaster, and entrepreneur. She shares her journey with us today as she moves from film director to freelance writer to entrepreneur and the many steps in between.

Lesley and I talk about how she started blogging and the challenges writers face when putting ideas out into the world. Then we discuss podcasting. We get into how she started "The New Old You", what she's drawn to, and the fun she is having.

During this interview, we dive deep into building new habits in midlife that are invaluable for helping us create the lives we've always dreamed of. Lesley gives us her insights into meditation, mantra, gratitude, goal setting, building intention, and journaling. 

My conversation with Lesley is fun and inspiring. Check her out in all the places:

Lesley McShane can be found at her website Facebook Instagram

"Stay fit and live long and prosper, but write your own obituary now, while you can, just in case." -Jill Conner Browne (Novelist and head Sweet Potato Queen) 

Yeah. The Sidetracked Sisters aren't planning on going anywhere soon, but the topic that we agreed to write about this week was our OBITUARY! It wasn't all that easy, to be honest with you!

Today we get into all the things. Sandy, Judy, Michelle, and I talk about funeral music and Judy's burial fears. We debate having a funeral versus a "celebration of life" (or a celebration of death as Sandy thinks of it). We also discuss our ideas about burial versus cremation...and what to do with your relative's ashes after cremation.

This is perhaps not the most respectful episode. But we have fun and invite you along for the ride...

"Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on." --Louis L'Amour (American novelist) So many people like the idea of writing, but neglect to plant their body in a chair and get their pen moving on the page. This is NOT a problem for my guest today! 

Welcome to Sidetracked Legacies episode #91. 

Today I am interviewing Karla Jensen who has been writing professionally for over three decades. She has enjoyed working in radio, television, and magazine publishing. She founded and led several writers' groups. Karla was a well-known columnist for LocaLeben Magazine (a southeastern Wisconsin arts and culture publication). She has published two nonfiction books, dozens of plays as a playwright, and multiple manuscripts for rising authors.

During our time, we get into her experiences writing memoirs and how to write another's legacy story.

We talk about the value of writer's groups and she gives some tips on organizing a group.

Karla gets into some nitty-gritty details for aspiring legacy writers! She suggests and describes how to use timelines, memory maps, and the "notecard method" --for writing the barebones outline for a full-length feature film!

Inspirational resources she recommends include: On Writing by Stephen King, Writing Life Stories: How to Make Memories by Bill Roorbauch, and Julia Cameron's book The Right to Write.

Karla can be found on Facebook, Instagram, and at https://www.writersespresso.com/

American actress Lauren Bacall is quoted, "Childhood anxieties, childhood fears, never disappear completely. They fade, but not away."

Today the Sidetracked Sisters discuss memories of childhood fears. We get into the fear of the dark and clowns, creepy clowns.

During our interview, Laura quotes Hal Elrod from his book The Miricle Morning, "Remember this truth: Now matters more than any other time in your life, because its what you are doing today that is determining who you're becoming, and who you're becoming will always determine the quality and direction of your life."

Today I am talking with Laura Leigh. She is the founder of the podcast "Joyfully Raising Grands" and the "Grand Family Nation Membership". Through all of these avenues, Laura is committed to helping others who are looking for community, resources, and support in the journey of raising a grandchild. 

She also has the "Joy-filled Subscription Box" for busy women who know the importance of self-care. Each box focuses on making you feel special and helping you find joy.

In our conversation, we hear about her journey to being a GRAND parent and the challenges, beauty, and blessings that that experience holds. We get into the importance of gratitude in life and while raising children. She also shares how, in serving others, we experience the most joy. She is creating a legacy of spreading and living a "joy-filled life". 

You can find Laura and more information about her podcast, membership, store, and subscription box at https://lauraleighllc.com/