Deanna Doss Shrodes

I'm a keen analyst, obsessed with watching people and learning from them both good and bad. A lot of my dreams have come true, although some have yet to be realized.  I believe as long as we're alive we should have dreams.  I see a pattern in those who never realize their dreams.  I have no statistical data on this, it's just something I've gathered through everyday observation.  Those who haven't experienced the fulfillment of dreams are typically those who insist on taking the most convenient route all the time.  They are the queens of store-bought cakes. Again and again they select whatever is easiest and won't require them to do anything extra or go out of their way.  Observing this is the main reason I've tried to take the road less traveled most often on my life's journey.

Unless you're with your husband or wife, of course.  I've been saying this for years. And now this Penn State scandal is just one more incident that I refer to in underscoring why people need to have their own shower.  Really, isn't this just a guideline for basic decency? When bringing up this issue before I've been told by many adults that I highly respect that kids taking group showers after school gym classes is simply a rite of passage as well as sports teams or soldiers in the military, etc..  I don't care when or where it is -- it's inappropriate. Not only are group showers a perfect o pportunity for sexual abuse by predators like Jerry Sandusky, they also create an atmosphere that hinders the building of self worth. Group showers are a vivid memory from middle school.  Not skinny but not really overweight either.  Not over or under developed.  Just average.  Still, there were two days of the week I absolutely dreaded -- the days I h...

If you're a leader it will help you to come to grips with the question that is weighing on most people's mind about anything: "How is this going to affect me?" That's what they wonder. How well you can address that question as early and as clearly as possible makes the difference in how well any transition will go, large or small. Incidentally, if you ARE the leader, you also  have this question on your mind. Anytime a follower makes a shift, you wonder, "how is this going to affect me?" The only difference is, you're the one who has the responsibility of solving or fixing whatever may occur as a result of whatever it is that they do, or don't do.   Everybody has the same question, the only difference is one person has a different level of responsibility.

This week brings yet another book here on the blog!  All you have to do to enter is comment anytime today through Thursday on this week's posts here at deannashrodes.net, or on my facebook page when it publishes there.  Each time you comment, your name is added again to the drawing. This week's giveaway is a fiction book, Autumn Song by Martha Rogers.  The book has been provided by Charisma House (www.charismahouse.com). Here's a little about the book and it's author: Why does everyone think a girl’s only lot in life is to find a husband and settle down? Kathleen Muldoon is twenty-three and tired of ranch living. Fiercely independent and determined to become a nurse, she has left her family’s ranch to study medicine under Old Doc Jensen and live in town with her Aunt Mae, who runs a boardinghouse. Daniel Monroe has just arrived in Porterfield to set up his law practice. Sparks fly when he is introduced to Kate at the boardinghouse, but the initial attra...

Incredible video of Nebraska RB coach Ron Brown praying with Nebraska and Penn State players yesterday in front of 110,000 fans at Penn State University.

The winner of this week's book giveaway is Terri Von Wood of Sarasota, Florida! Congratulations, Terri!  The book Tired of Being Sick and Tired by Dr. Michael Berglund will be in your mailbox very soon, so be looking. Thanks to all who commented this past week here on the blog and on facebook when the blog published there.  And thanks to Charisma House for providing the book. On Monday we will feature a new book giveaway here on the blog.  It will be a fiction book, and once again each time you comment your name will be entered in the drawing.  For those who may be wondering how the drawing works, after Thursday at midnight, I type all of the names into this site , (as many times as each person has commented) and then click fruit machine or typewriter which randomly selects the winner. Next week is a brand new opportunity to win!