Newest Net Addiction

I like Boggle. I like Scrabble. This "wise old duck" has created an online game, free and plays against real people, that brings the best of both games together. I have been playing every night for about a week. I'm an addict. I'm not as good as some of the long term regulars, but I can hold my own.

The game is called -- ZChurk

Follow the link. I play as kurteeck.

Mom's Eulogy

Mom's eulogy, written by my brother Todd and read at the funeral by long time family friend Dan Danaker.

Sorry about the resolution. I'm working on getting the actual file vs using the scan. In the meantime, click the image to view at a more readable size.



Link to -- I Corinthians 13:1 thru 13




Link to -- I Corinthians 15:50 to 52

March Madness

I don't really follow NCAA Basketball that closely. Nor do many of my colleagues at work. That hasn't stopped us from playing "The Bracket". We are doing the 10 points for first round, 20 points for second round, thirty points for third round system for scoring. No money. Losers buy winner lunch.

Here are our current scores (first score is 10,20,30,40...second score is based on 10,20,40,80...) --

• Tiff -- 610/760 points
• Carrie -- 680/990 points
  
• Karen -- 670/750 points
  
• Michelle -- 810/1130 points
  
• Kurt -- 940/1680 points

updated 2:18pm on April 1

I'm in a snotty mood and Liz Dietrich is not right

I won't go so far as to say Liz Dietrich is wrong. She asserts in an interview in the Daily Slightem that there is a myth about bad parents. She says --

Liz Dietrich, clinical supervisor, said the agency wants to dispel the “myth of the bad parent.”

“Parents think, ‘My kid is acting this way because of something I did,’ ” she said. “We want to show them it’s not their fault. Some kids have these issues because of a chemical imbalance. You could be the best parent in the world; kids are still going to make mistakes.” (from the Daily Slightem)

Sure, there are families out there who have done everything "right". The parents were good parents. Something is just wrong with the child's wiring. And yes, Concern does a great job with these families (especially with clients who fall into the category of autism spectrum disorders).

However, it is naive to think that all parents are good parents. Sometimes the parents are the fault. Dad is a heroin addict and mom is a welfare leech trading her food stamps for smokes while the kids are running the streets. The kid steals. Why can't we blame the parent?

I think parents should be asking themselves if their child's behavior is a reflection of their parenting. In cases other than those with a true biological abnormality which effects behavior (autism, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorders, etc.), the cause must be partly a reflection of parenting.

Where do we learn how to behave, what is acceptable, our moral character? If your children are 'acting out', maybe it is your fault.

A short video in memory of my mom

Carol Eck

Carol Ann Eck, 66, of 442 McElhattan Drive, McElhattan, Pa., went to be with her Lord surrounded by her family on Thursday, March 6, 2008, at her home.

Carol was born August 9, 1941, in Jersey Shore, the daughter of Gordon Glaes and the former Vivian Maffett.

She is survived by her husband, Edward L. Eck, they were united in marriage July 11, 1964, in the St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jersey Shore. Ed and Carol purchased a home in Avis. It was at their home in Avis where they raised their two sons, Kurt Edward and Todd Matthew. While raising their children, Carol served as a member of the PTA, was a Den Mother and volunteer in the Scouting program, and a member of several bowling leagues. For many years she was a member of the Trinity United Methodist Church in Jersey Shore.

Carol graduated from Jersey Shore High School in 1959 and continued her education at the Williamsport School of Nursing. She practiced nursing throughout her life, initially working in the Maternity ward at Williamsport Hospital. During her career she worked fro Dr. Dunkle, Dr. Nicholas and at Susqueview and Manor Care Nursing Homes. When she left Manor Health Care she was the Assistant Director of Nursing. Carol would want mentioned that it was during this time that she made the acquaintance of Cathy Brooks, also a nurse. Cathy has always been more than a neighbor and Carol recognized her as family. Carol’s sons think of her as their older sister. After Carol retired from nursing, she and Ed moved to McElhattan. She continued to be active, helping with Red Cross Blood Mobiles, distributing food at local churches “Angel and Food Program,” and dressing up for her jaunts with the Red Hatter Society.

She also enjoyed having the time to sit on the front porch of the new home and watch the birds and squirrels play in the multitude of feeders and bird bathes in her front yard. Carols also took care of her pet cat Sparkles. Sparkles was a diabetic and, like Carol, required daily insulin shots. Carol never really retired completely from nursing and never stopped caring for others.

Also surviving are two sons, Kurt E. Eck of Milton and Todd M. (Janine) Eck of Woodsville, New Hampshire, two grandchildren, Daniel L. Bucharski Eck and Samuel V. Eck, one sister, Vivian L. Davis of McElhattan, and one brother, Alan G. Glaes of Avondale, Arizona,

Funeral services will be Monday, March 10, 2008 at 12 p.m. in the Trinity United Methodist Church, corner of Allegheny and Glover Streets, Jersey Shore. Friends may call from 10 a.m. Monday until the time of services at the church. Burial will be in the Jersey Shore Cemetery. The Rev. Richard Cartwright, her pastor, will officiate. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made in her name to the Trinity United Methodist Church.

Frederick B. Welker Funeral Home, 125 N. Main St., Jersey Shore, is in charge of arrangements.