Bena Mae’s Kitchen: Good Night. Don’t let the bed bugs bite.

“Don’t let the bedbugs bite” now has a particularly hollow ring to it. They have become an epidemic in hotels, offices, stores, apartment buildings, and theaters in New York City and elsewhere. Two large New York theaters have had to shut down and even Victoria’s Secret and Ambercrombie and Fitch are infested with them. The epidemic has brought panic and a nasty little rash to rich folks and poor alike.
We thought we were through with this nasty little bug after the 1950’s but now they are saying that their resurgence is caused by people traveling abroad and bringing them back in their luggage and on their clothes.
These little hitch hikers aren’t poisonous and do not carry disease but their bite can be especially annoying. They were eradicated by the 1950’s, mostly due to the use of DDT on other pests. But after DDT was banned, they started making a comeback after decades of little or no activity.
This brings to mind the battle folks fought decades ago to either get rid of or keep them away. It was when spring cleaning was akin to a holy ritual year after year. Cleanliness was not a factor in their taking up residence, they invaded rich as well as poor homes. They were/are respectful of nobody.
The spring cleaning ritual began with beds being taken apart and hauled outside. Mattresses and springs (we had coil springs then) were examined religiously and the springs were carefully cleaned with a duster that had been treated with some kind of oil (seniors, help me out here, was it coal oil, kerosene, or what?) Bed posts and bed slats were washed down with hot soapy water. Everything that could be done was done in a monumental effort to get rid of them.
One woman tells of her nightmare experience with the little blood suckers. At first she thought her husband had heat rash. She and her husband had just returned from a vacation at a smart hotel in Cape Cod. He had developed hive-like welts on his back and legs.  The doctor prescribed antihistamines, thinking it was an allergy caused by eating shellfish. When they didn’t help, the lady called a dermatologist. He took one look and said, “you both have bedbug bites.” That’s when their nightmare began.
The infestation would last five months and cost the couple $15,000 to treat.
So, if you’re traveling, folks, be very cautious. When making reservations, ask if the hotel or motel has bed bugs. And upon leaving, examine every piece of clothing and inside your luggage to make sure you’re not bringing bedbugs home with you. Don’t let your vacation be one you will always regret.
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Belated but heartfelt condolences:
To the family of Pete Lee who brightened so many lives with his visits and charitable works throughout the years. And to the friends and family of Charles Smiddy, who grew up in Williamsburg and after becoming successful, “gave back” to the community that helped shape his values through his generous support of Cumberland College.  They truly made a difference and are sorely missed by all who knew them

Serve this with potato salad and corn  on the cob for a delicious combination.

Saltine Fried Chicken

30 saltine crackers
 2 Tablespoons all-purpose flour
 2 Tablespoons dry potato flakes
 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
 1/2  teaspoon  ground black pepper
 1 egg
 1/4  cup vegetable oil
 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Place crackers in a large resealable plastic bag; seal bag and crush crackers until they are coarse crumbs.
Add flour, potato flakes, seasoned salt, and pepper to bag and mix well.
Beat egg in a shallow dish or bowl; heat oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
One by one, dredge chicken pieces in egg beat, then place in bag with crumb mixture, seal bag and shake to coat.
Reduce heat to medium and cook coated chicken in skillet for 15 to 20 minutes, turning frequently, until golden brown and juices run clear.