the ugly writers

Who I Am

One of the core concepts of the Enneagram is that each type embodies both virtues and vices and that there is a redemptive path of integration or a destructive path of disintegration available to us depending on whether we embrace and develop our virtues or give in to our vices.
the ugly writers

Toni St. Pierre

St. Pierre was honored by the Minnesota Girls and Women in Sports Day at the Minnesota State Capitol for her role as an advocate for girls' and women's sports. The ceremony, which honored seven others, took place four days after she died.
the ugly writers

The New Normal

We all face struggles and setbacks in life.  Whether it is a broken relationship, the death of a loved one, physical, financial or emotional challenges.  Whatever the misfortune, God is there to cushion the blow, give us hope and lead us into what is our new normal.
the ugly writers

Home For The Holidays

These 20 years of family gatherings came to an abrupt end when my mother-in-law passed away in 1993, and my father-in-law passed away two years later.   We eventually established new family traditions, but we all remember that special unplanned Christmas gathering in 1979 when everybody was with us.
the ugly writers

Half Marathon Man

Half Marathon Man   Adlai Stevenson was a distinguished statesman and two-time Democratic presidential nominee. He lost the 1952 and 1956 presidential elections to the popular war hero Dwight D. Eisenhower. He mounted a third attempt to secure the Democratic…
the ugly writers

The Slowest 5K in History

This year’s race was supposed to be special for me since I am now a personal trainer at Safari Island Community Center in Waconia, and I know a number of the great people who live here.
the ugly writers

Re-Tirement

I am so thankful this year for a very successful launch into my new health and fitness career.  I consider this my “re-tirement”, as in getting two new tires on my bicycle so that I can keep moving forward.

Lessons from a Penguin

On my last training ride on the Cannon Valley Trail, the web site said it was 20 miles one way, but my odometer said it was 30.  It looked like 30; it felt like 30, and I wanted it to be 30, but I was wrong.  When facts point in one direction, and your opinion points in the opposite direction, you would be wise to yield to the facts.
the ugly writers

45

Some of the things we share in common are our spiritual, political and financial perspectives, our friends, our interest in movies and watching Survivor together every week
the ugly writers

Father’s Day

My father and Irwin were inseparable for the next 15 years before my father’s passing in 1995.  There was an area in my father’s heart that was healed in 1981 and in his son Irwin’s heart as well.

Finding ITT

Sometimes adjustments come in the form of pruning.  In the horticultural world, we know that pruning a tree is necessary to sustain growth.  That is, sometimes the skillful pruner will cut back a fruitful branch which diminishes the outward appearance of health in the short term but contributes to the long-term health of the tree.