I’ve never been all that neat.

Ever since I was little, I’ve been what you’d call a “stacker.” Rather than take a few seconds to put things away where they need to go, I drop them in the general area and figure I’ll eventually go back and straighten it up.

The problem with my method is sometimes it takes days to get back.

Or weeks.

The other day, after walking over a pile of clothes that I’d worn to work for what I’d probably have described as “a couple of days” and hearing a few plastic hangers crack, I could put it off no longer.

Two hours later, after hanging up 10 jackets and piling up 15 sweaters, I vowed not to let it happen again. But in about six weeks, more hangers will be sacrificed before I clean up again.

That same stacking happens other places in the house, too. Magazines, discount offers and pieces of junk mail get stacked on the kitchen counter after they’re brought in from the mailbox. Hey, someday I might want that coupon for $10 off gutter cleaning. You just never know.

As bad as that is, the refrigerator is worse.

After eating our way through the front layer, we’re quite often throwing out the now moldy or spoiled stuff hiding in back.

I’ve attempted to develop a system to organize it all, but it’s never caught on.
But, I’m not alone.

At least that’s according to Jonathan Bloom, author of “American Wasteland: How America Throws Away Nearly Half Its Food (And What We Can Do About It).”

Bloom says that Americans waste about 40 percent of the food that is produced each year.
I’m a good example of how it happens. And, admittedly, it’s shameful.

Each and every time I toss out food that has sat around long enough to become spoiled, I think of my experience on the Food Stamp Diet.

That week eating on $21 taught me the value of planning and finding bargains and that many people are not as lucky as I.

I’m able to go to the grocery store each week and buy food that, as it turns out, I might not even eat.

Many of those who live around me — and you — are not that lucky. They pinch pennies to buy macaroni and skip meals because there isn’t enough to feed both them and their children.

That’s where Bloom becomes important.

His blog, found at www.wastedfood.com, offers sensible tips to avoid making the types of mistakes I make every week — buying too much and improperly storing it.

I’m not sure all mothers used the phrase mine did in response to my refusal to eat what she served for dinner.
“There are starving kids in Africa.”

And, 30 years later, it’s still true. But as we’re becoming all too aware, there also are starving people here in America who need our help.

And, there’s help to be had in my massive stacks of food.

You can help out, too.

Instead of overbuying and then wasting what you’re already piling up in your house, why not donate it to Harvest for Hunger/Feed Lake County, where it’s guaranteed to be used.

The annual Northeast Ohio food drive has a few more weeks to run and needs your help.

Area hunger groups can feed more with a cash donation, but your canned or boxed food gifts won’t go to waste.

If you’re at Giant Eagle, Heinen’s, Dave’s or another participating retailer, use the handy coupons at the checkout to guarantee food reaches certified pantries in Lake and Geauga counties.

If you live in Lake County, you also can send donations to United Way of Lake County, 9285 Progress Parkway, Mentor OH 44060, with checks written out to Feed Lake County.

Don’t let it go to waste.

Give it to those who need it the most.

LKessel@News-Herald.com

@lauranh

If you listened very closely, you could hear the “regular kid” in Steve Demetriou.

But, after nearly four years at the United States Military Academy, this U.S. Army cadet doesn’t let it show all that often.

Most of the time the firstie (a military academy’s equivalent to a senior) is a serious student heading for graduation and a career as an officer in the Army.

Demetriou has earned it.

And, now he’s telling others about it.

The 2007 graduate of University School in Hunting Valley regularly comes back to the Cleveland area on school breaks and speaks to those who might come next, urging them to follow his path and get an excellent education in return for a commitment to serve five years on active duty in the military.

Like others with recruiting responsibilities in the U.S. Armed Forces, Demetriou stresses the educational opportunities available through military service, but his message is one that also centers on development.

The Russell Township resident made it clear that he has come a long way since he entered West Point in the summer of 2007.

“I think I’m an example of somebody who wasn’t at the top of the class but got in,” Demetriou told a University School junior who dropped in to talk about the academy during a recent visit home.

Demetriou told his guest he was an average student — betraying the 3.6 grade-point average and 1200 SAT score he posted during his days at US.

He stressed his desire to accomplish something in college.

“I didn’t know anything about the military,” he said. “I knew I wanted a challenge. I feared going to a regular college with friends and getting into trouble. And I knew West Point was a good school.”

So he went through the rigorous application process that includes acquiring a nomination from a member of Congress or other official — including the president, vice president or, even more rare, an athletic recruiter who vouches for your prowess on the field.

Candidates for West Point also are required to complete a Candidate Fitness Assessment, which tests physical abilities on such activities as a one-mile run, situps, pushups and pullups.

Once in, the cadets learn immediately that “the Army’s college” stresses three major components as it molds America’s future leaders — academic, physical and military development.

Demetriou said all cadets are required to take a foreign language and study some sort of engineering. He chose systems engineering.

Physical assessments are commonplace, and scores on the tests determine your placement in jobs once you graduate. Demetriou said he will be going to Ranger school upon graduation, and a score of 300 is necessary to qualify for that training. He said 270 is the average score on the Army Physical Fitness Test. A score of 280 qualifies cadets to take part in Green Beret training.

Demetriou’s junior visitor expressed concern over the physical requirements.

“Dude, I feel you,” Demetriou said with a laugh. “I’m a stocky guy, and it was tough for me when I just got there. I’m training for a marathon now.

“Just get out there and run and you’ll get faster.”

That dent in the Army armor proved the youthful Demetriou still lurks inside the polite soldier with perfect posture and the slim build that four years of fitness tests will bring.

It peeked out again later, when he told his fellow Prepper that he doesn’t need to worry about whether he will fit in at West Point.

“Dude, just from talking to you I think you’d do really well at West Point,” he said.

Demetriou said he applies before each school break to receive permission to speak to high school students about his school.

“This is my fifth time back here,” he said. “I do it about three times a year — at Thanksgiving, during spirit week and during graduation week.”

As he prepares for his first assignment after graduation and receiving his rank of lieutenant in the U.S. Army, Demetriou said he is grateful for having taken this chance with his life.

“At West Point, you’re surrounded by more experience,” he said. “Most of the teachers are officers with multiple tours of duty on their side. In ROTC, there are maybe a couple of officers.

“The leg up is experiences. I committed to ROTC or an academy because I know it’s what I want to do.”

And, seeing Demetriou after four years at West Point, it’s clear he’s ready to lead, inspire and share the message of what he’s learned.

And, dude, Northeast Ohio is lucky to have him sharing it.

LKessel@News-Herald.com

Twitter: @lauranh

It wasn’t much of a list. But maybe I have simple tastes.

It also could mean I should dream bigger.

Whatever the case, the release in 2007 of a funny, poignant movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman prompted many of us to sit down and acknowledge our deepest wishes.

“The Bucket List” followed two terminally ill men who wanted nothing more than to try all the things they always dreamed of doing before they “kick the bucket.”

Morbid? Kinda. Touching? Absolutely.

Freeman was a kind and gentle working-class guy. Nicholson was a brash and rude rich guy who felt entitled.
Their lists, of course, matched their lifestyles.

Nicholson’s Edward listed places he wanted to visit — the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, an African safari.

The list of Freeman’s Carter was practical and emotional — laugh until he cried; help a complete stranger; witness something truly majestic.
They went skydiving, drove on a racetrack and got tattoos.

Some of the items made the other bristle, because of the difficulty in figuring out whether it was actually accomplished — like Edward’s “kiss the most beautiful woman in the world.”

In the end, they both fulfilled their lists, and learned life’s lessons along the way.

As viewers shared the joys the two felt in accomplishing their goals, many got out pen and paper and started to compile their own lists.

That’s where my own lame list comes in.

I say lame because that’s the word most have used to describe it.

There are only a few things left on the original list, and they’re likely to stay there a while.

They’re trips to not-so exotic places, and require far more planning than I’m willing to commit to, so Boston, San Francisco and New Orleans will have to wait. I decided to cross off Savannah, because I flew into its airport in January. No, it’s not a true visit, but I have proof I was there, so I’ll take it at this point.

The one most likely to remain the longest is the dream trip I decided I wanted to take when I was just a child waking up early to watch the finals of the Wimbledon tennis tournament each year on summer Sunday morning.

Because I haven’t yet gotten a passport, that journey to watch a few matches at Centre Court will have to wait a while.

The ones that I’ve crossed off are the ones that earned the “lame” tag. But, they were legitimate, because I honestly always wanted to do them, but just never took the time.

First up was “go to a fish fry.”

Yes, I’d eaten fish. I’ll even admit to piling it on at a few all-you-can-eat fish dinners. But, before seeing the movie, I’d never gone to one of the various fish fry dinners that are conducted across to the area during Lent.

If you’ve never been to one, get ready for a true community eating experience. You walk in, pay, get in line, fill your plate and then look for a seat. Who knows who you’ll end up sitting with. If you’re like me, it’ll be a priest.

It’s happened twice, both at St. Noel. They were different priests, from different parishes.

Also on the list was “go to the Kirtland Strawberry Festival.”

This one sparked the most teasing at work because it’s an event we cover every year. And I only went last summer for the first time, so I’ve missed about 13 of them since I started working here.

I like strawberries, and I like festival food. So you’d think I’d have been there before. You’d be wrong.
But now I can say I’ve gone, and that I’ve enjoyed a good shortcake.

My favorite item crossed off the bucket list was “go to a pancake breakfast.”

A couple of years ago, we headed out to Burton for the Burton-Middlefield Rotary’s pancake breakfast, that year held at Century Village. Served with real Geauga County maple syrup, the pancakes and assorted extras were worth the lengthy drive for breakfast. It helped that we got to catch up with an old friend and meet his young daughter, but the homey atmosphere also made it worth the effort.

This year, the breakfast will be held at Berkshire High School in Burton. For our list of area breakfasts, most of which kick off today, head to http://bit.ly/fcI1Vz.

Sure, these three items were rather easy to accomplish. But, because I’d never done them and always wanted to, they easily fit on my bucket list.

I always thought it was kind of funny that a pancake breakfast during maple sugar season would be a bucket-list item, since the sap is collected in buckets.

Maybe I’m the only one that finds that humor, though.

My sense of humor is about as lame as my bucket list.

LKessel@News-Herald.com
@lauranh

It wasn’t much of a list. But maybe I have simple tastes.

It also could mean I should dream bigger.

Whatever the case, the release in 2007 of a funny, poignant movie starring Jack Nicholson and Morgan Freeman prompted many of us to sit down and acknowledge our deepest wishes.

“The Bucket List” followed two terminally ill men who wanted nothing more than to try all the things they always dreamed of doing before they “kick the bucket.”

Morbid? Kinda. Touching? Absolutely.

Freeman was a kind and gentle working-class guy. Nicholson was a brash and rude rich guy who felt entitled.
Their lists, of course, matched their lifestyles.

Nicholson’s Edward listed places he wanted to visit — the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Wall of China, an African safari.

The list of Freeman’s Carter was practical and emotional — laugh until he cried; help a complete stranger; witness something truly majestic.

They went skydiving, drove on a racetrack and got tattoos.

Some of the items made the other bristle, because of the difficulty in figuring out whether it was actually accomplished — like Edward’s “kiss the most beautiful woman in the world.”

In the end, they both fulfilled their lists, and learned life’s lessons along the way.

As viewers shared the joys the two felt in accomplishing their goals, many got out pen and paper and started to compile their own lists.

That’s where my own lame list comes in.

I say lame because that’s the word most have used to describe it.

There are only a few things left on the original list, and they’re likely to stay there a while.

They’re trips to not-so exotic places, and require far more planning than I’m willing to commit to, so Boston, San Francisco and New Orleans will have to wait. I decided to cross off Savannah, because I flew into its airport in January. No, it’s not a true visit, but I have proof I was there, so I’ll take it at this point.

The one most likely to remain the longest is the dream trip I decided I wanted to take when I was just a child waking up early to watch the finals of the Wimbledon tennis tournament each year on summer Sunday morning.

Because I haven’t yet gotten a passport, that journey to watch a few matches at Centre Court will have to wait a while.

The ones that I’ve crossed off are the ones that earned the “lame” tag. But, they were legitimate, because I honestly always wanted to do them, but just never took the time.

First up was “go to a fish fry.”

Yes, I’d eaten fish. I’ll even admit to piling it on at a few all-you-can-eat fish dinners. But, before seeing the movie, I’d never gone to one of the various fish fry dinners that are conducted across to the area during Lent.
If you’ve never been to one, get ready for a true community eating experience. You walk in, pay, get in line, fill your plate and then look for a seat. Who knows who you’ll end up sitting with. If you’re like me, it’ll be a priest. It’s happened twice, both at St. Noel. They were different priests, from different parishes.
Also on the list was “go to the Kirtland Strawberry Festival.”

This one sparked the most teasing at work because it’s an event we cover every year. And I only went last summer for the first time, so I’ve missed about 13 of them since I started working here.

I like strawberries, and I like festival food. So you’d think I’d have been there before. You’d be wrong.
But now I can say I’ve gone, and that I’ve enjoyed a good shortcake.

My favorite item crossed off the bucket list was “go to a pancake breakfast.”

A couple of years ago, we headed out to Burton for the Burton-Middlefield Rotary’s pancake breakfast, that year held at Century Village. Served with real Geauga County maple syrup, the pancakes and assorted extras were worth the lengthy drive for breakfast. It helped that we got to catch up with an old friend and meet his young daughter, but the homey atmosphere also made it worth the effort.

This year, the breakfast will be held at Berkshire High School in Burton. For our list of area breakfasts, most of which kick off today, head to http://bit.ly/fcI1Vz.

Sure, these three items were rather easy to accomplish. But, because I’d never done them and always wanted to, they easily fit on my bucket list.

I always thought it was kind of funny that a pancake breakfast during maple sugar season would be a bucket-list item, since the sap is collected in buckets.

Maybe I’m the only one that finds that humor, though.

My sense of humor is about as lame as my bucket list.

LKessel@News-Herald.com

It’s a small moment near the end of a movie that defined a generation.

“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” taught teenagers the value of sitting back and taking a look at life, because if you don’t, you might miss something.

If you picked the wrong time to go to the bathroom during the movie, you might have missed Charlie Sheen.

Seated on a couch in the police station where Bueller’s sister, Jeanie, is taken, he quickly finds her faults.

“You wear too much eye makeup.”

The conversation quickly turns to Jeanie’s brother, Ferris, who has ditched school. He’s a senior who wants to take advantage of a beautiful day. He fakes an illness, convinces his parents to let him stay home and somehow manages to gain the town’s sympathy, which sparks a community drive to “save Ferris.”

It makes you wonder what would have happened if Twitter was around in the 1980s.

But, Sheen’s character, officially named “Boy in Police Station,” tries to point out the folly in Jean’s desire to expose Ferris’ shenanigans.

Boy, as I’ll refer to him, asks her why she cares so much about what her brother does. She said it’s not fair that he gets to ditch school when everyone else is forced to attend.

“You ought to spend a little more time dealing with yourself and a little less time worrying about what your brother does,” Boy says. “That’s just an opinion.”

Oh, Boy — and Charlie Sheen — you said a mouthful there.

(Check out the scene at http://youtu.be/IRbzZG_JxYY).

Twenty-five years later, those words come back to mind as we sit back and take a look at what’s become of Sheen’s life.

His most recent performances — rambling televised interviews — don’t look much different than that movie scene. Deep black circles under his eyes, significant weight loss and a voice that crackles from smoking and his other admitted abuses, Sheen shows the signs of a life in crisis.

At least in the “Bueller” scene, you get the sense he’s in control. Sure, he’s at the police station after an arrest for drugs, but he manages to dispense sage advice to a contemporary.

Sheen’s advice these days is to leave him and what he describes as his massive brain alone.

“My brain ... fires in a way that is — I don’t know — maybe not from this particular terrestrial realm,” he told ABC News.

Uhhhh, OK.

For those who don’t know, Sheen’s on the attack because, after a series of arrests and hospitalizations that those in his inner circle have described as drug related, CBS has pulled the plug on the actor’s long-running sitcom “Two and a Half Men.”

News of the break that the network blamed on Sheen’s erratic behavior sent the actor into a rage, and he has appeared in televised interviews that have left viewers and mental health experts questioning how long Sheen will survive on his current path.

I look at Sheen in a number of ways now. I’m no longer a fan. If he survives what he’s doing to himself and comes out the other side clean and as talented as he was in his stronger days, I might be one again. But right now, he’s on his own. He doesn’t want me worrying about him anyway.

But, Charlie, that’s too bad, because, as a fellow human being, I am concerned.

I worry that you’ll kill yourself with rampant drug use or other actions brought on by your belief that you’re somehow superhuman. None of that, Sheen says.

“Don’t be worried. Celebrate this movement,” he said Monday on NBC. “And I love and I’m so grateful that you have supported me and the show for so long. I will not let you down. Trust me.”
Not on your life.

The beauty of “Two and a Half Men” was that it got away with so much. Sheen and co-stars Jon Cryer, Angus T. Jones and Conchata Ferrell let the one-liners fly and landed verbal punches that made viewers wonder how they escaped censors.

But, now that Sheen’s life has so clearly disintegrated, it won’t be possible to watch the show in syndication without focusing solely on whether you can see the signs of his deterioration.

I can hear me now: “Are those circles under his eyes?” “Look how skinny he is!” “Boy, did he age in the past year.”

It’s sad that Sheen, in his clearly diminished state, focuses only on what CBS did to try to force him into medical care.

“I urge all my beautiful and loyal fans who embraced this show for almost a decade to walk with me side-by-side as we march up the steps of justice to right this unconscionable wrong.”

It’s too bad he’s not concerned about those he let down — co-stars, the show’s crew, his network. Sure, he’s celebrated the news from the network that they’ll be paid for the last episodes that won’t be completed.

But he contributed nothing to bring about the solution. He merely added more heat to a pot already about to boil over.

Talk of lawsuits and demands for raises to fulfill the contract in place for his portrayal of Charlie, his character on the show, have left the series in limbo and himself a laughingstock.

“I am on a drug. It’s called Charlie Sheen. It’s not available, because if you try it once, you will die and your children will weep over your exploded body,” he told ABC.

Perhaps it’s time for Sheen to take a Boy’s advice and just relax.

He ought to spend a little more time dealing with himself and a little less time worrying about what (CBS) does.

But, that’s just an opinion.

LKessel@News-Herald.com
@lauranh