Recently Peter gave me the book Strengthsfinder by Tom Rath so that I could take the online test and discover my "strengths."  My first strength is "restorative"--"adept at dealing with problems, good at figuring out what is wrong and resolving it."  These authors are good.  They just turned neurosis into a strength.  Many of the test's observations were spot on, however.  How did it get to know me so well after only 100-some questions?  Scary.  One insight read, "You enjoy listening to public speakers" in order to gain knowledge to resolve problems.  This is true.  The desire to gain knowledge was revealed in my internet research issues early in May.  A bed bug lecture though sounds very. . . interesting.  I imagine going to a bed bug seminar, listening to lectures and watching larger-than-life pictures of the blood-sucking, mass-propagating vermin on an overhead screen.  I and the crowd begin to scratch ourselves to distraction, several dozen people savagely leap out of their seats and shriek, and exit doors burst open to allow private adjustments.  

Now this scene reminds me of George Washington's Rules of Civility and Decent Behaviour in Company and Conversation, a little book I enjoyed so much I actually had my kids memorize some of the rules when they were homeschooled.  Among my favorite tidbits of advice are 

• "Kill no vermin as fleas, lice, ticks &c in the sight of others; if you see any filth or thick spittle, put your foot dexteriously upon it; if it be upon the clothes of your companions, put it off privately; and it if be upon your own clothes, return thanks to him who puts it off," 
• "Show nothing to your friend that may affright him," and
• "When in company, put not your hands to any part of the body, not usually discovered." 

I'm certain George Washington had contact with bed bugs.
Our family has a new kind of humor these days.  Although I’m not as quick as my kids to think a false bed-bug alarm funny, I am so very grateful for the gift of laughter.