Life is what you make it.

A commemorative medal long proposed by the National Ex-Prisoners of War Association in the UK for all Ex-Prisoners of War, or their next of kin , whose countries were allies of Britain at the time of their capture was approved by the British Government late last year. Mom has been approved for the medal based on Poppy Breakey's war record and will receive it in about six weeks. The ribbon has a symbolized strand of barbed wire bounded on either side by black bands representing the despair of the compound. These in turn are edged by white bands representative of the second and third fences of the compound. The bands of green are reminiscent of the fields of home. Both red edges are symbolic of the burning faith of those who were interned. If you have never read the story of the long march Poppy Breakey was on, 600 miles in the coldest winter on record, I would be happy to e-mail or post it as directed by you. This blog is meant to celebrate life is what you make it and war stories m...

So it's official, your mother is heretofore to be referred to as Lady Percy, Duchess of Northumberland. The English side Lucille Stella Schur is a direct desecendent of the first Earle of Northumberland immortalized in Shakespeare's Henry 1V part one, Harry Percy or "Hotspur". What is more amusing, and relevant to the kids, is that the Percy ancestral home in Northumberland Yorkshire is Alnwick Castle , the scene of Harry Potter films 1&2. This is one of the best preserved Norman Castles in England. I would be happy to post the family tree on this blog if you all think its appropriate. I think when the documentation arrives from the official Royal genealogists, we can post that for sure. It goes back in England to 1066, the battle Hastings and to Percy in Normandy France, before that. There is earlier speculation that they were originally Vikings, hence your blonder coloring?. (Spit in a Kleenex and we will test the DNA against Erik the Red). Okay enough of the r...

On 02/13/06 we lost a great lady after a gallant fight. My mother Dorothy, David and Cindy's grandmother, died age 90.I am sure she would appreciate all of her family including the in laws, signing the guest book on her memorial.We plan a small tribute in March. (http://www.legacy.com/NYTimes/DeathNotices.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=16816262) Perhaps the LDS Church has a point that you need to understand you roots to understand the ebb and flow of life and come to terms with your own life. I believe that Dorothy is immortalized in David Cindy and their children. But at times like this I sometimes look back to look forward. Perhaps the reunion in Connecticut for our 40th anniversary was a part of that as we waited for Dorothy to die. She was the last of her family of 13 brothers and sisters who lived through some of the most horrible times, 1885-2006. The Russian persecution, the Boer war, WW1 & 11, the South African Apartheid era that nearly cost me all of you, twice. As h...

The Focus departed from Naperville at 6:30 am. By 8:30 we were at the hill, ready to get set up with rentals. Sadly, we learned that the place only opened at 10:00 :-(. A brief respite in the luxurious nearby hotel ensued, complete with Starbucks Latte, Krispy Kreme doughnut, and a roaring fire. Never say my daughter does not appreciate her creature comforts. We hit the slopes just after 10:00, and Abby was off to the lesson. Pretty well done, and the surface lift was pretty nifty. The place was awash in groups of other first-timers. When the rope tow is getting held up by people who can't figure it out, times are tough. The first ride on the chair was a bit scary, despite my efforts, and the gracious use of the slow button by the lift attendant. One ski was lost, and trepidation ensued. A few tumbles, but the general concept of the snowplow seemed to be sinking in. The second ride on the lift was much smoother. No equipment lost at all. Plenty of fun up until lunch (pretty standar...

Over two decades ago, Dad and I piled into the Camaro and took off up Airport Road. I don't remember what the place was called (Happy Valley?) and officially became the first Schur's in recorded history to go downhill skiing. This place was a glorified speedbump with a rope tow, and a T-Bar. As I recall we somehow learned how to snowplow, and even braved the scary looking T-Bar a few times. I think I developed a deep seated fear of T-Bars on that visit, and tended to stick to chairlifts ever after. This Friday the tradition passes on. I am taking Abby to the hyperbolically named "Grand Geneva Resort" in Wisconsin (Vertical drop 211ft, 18 trails. ) .Pictures will be posted.