Just now, as I was logging in, I caught the video on TV news of the marine throwing a tiny brown and white puppy as far as he could across a ravine. War or not, Iraq or not, what kind of adult person would do such a horrible and heartless act! His parents must be very proud…..

I was always dressed sharp when I worked in the design field—including high heels and Fogal stockings. Now that I work from home my uniform is skinny black slacks, ballet flats, a black boat neck, three-quarter length sleeve top, and a gold and black bangle or a chunky charm bracelet. I bought about ten outfits the same—like a uniform. All I need to run out is a shiny black small quilted clutch and I’m gone. This weird kick started a few years ago when I saw a photo of Marie Brenner photographed in her home years ago dressed the same. She was sitting on the arm of a chair and I think with her daughter. I really admire her and loved her architectural look, so I snipped the photo and stuck it in a large binder of plastic sleeves that I have sectioned in fashion, home and garden, travel, health and beauty. Here’s a more recent photo of her but still in clean lines and black. http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.vanityfair.com/images/… Then after having been so invested in anti-war activities and with so many people suffering because of our administration, I don’t feel so self-indulgent when it comes to material things I once embraced. Wearing the same black feels appropriate now. And it gives my son more ‘mom lore’ for when I’m gone. “Mom was a fashion plate until the war….then she’d only wear black.” On January 20th, 2009 I’ll switch back to pale creams and taupe cashmere when Obama is sworn in. I hadn’t planned to do this until moving to Provence and having two light blond Goldens and a champagne MBZ station wagon. Like musicians with tone, designers must always have color coherence.

You have gotta be kidding me with this one! The only time I wear stockings is when the word is not plural and it’s coupled with cap. I have been known to wear a little knee high every now and then…you know….funerals and interviews.

When I was younger, much, much, younger, I always wore hose, even on the hottest 100 plus degree days in the Big (baked) Apple. I also wore cute suits and heels to the office. It was expected. Now when I wear a dress or skirt in 100 plus degrees I wear nice sandals, but no more heels for me. Dress codes in my firm have really loosened up. I love Fogal! They have a store across the street from my office. They are expensive, but fantastic quality and well worth it. The stockings (and I don’t mean pantyhose) I save for my man.

I wear slacks so I don’t wear stockings. But when I wear a skirt for any professional event stockings are a must.

Attending a very high line fashion show with my southern belle Mother In Law…after a few models had made their way past us, she tugged at my sleeve and whispered “Oh My Word!! Not one of them is wearing stockings!!” I leaned over and whispered back…”The last time I wore stockings was the day I married your son.” She was shocked! I have been known to whip out the knee highs in winter…but Oh Hell No…No Stockings!!

No! In pondering this question I realize I don’t wear pumps or short skirts that might require stockings. When I wear skirts I always wear long skirts - calf length or longer with sandals in the summer and boots in the winter. Now that I have made this realization it’s off to my closet to get rid of all those pumps I haven’t worn in years.

I still wear stockings, even though I have retired, because I am still a slave to genetic memory. My near ancestors wore them, and had I had daughters, they would have worn them as well. I cringe at “red carpet” photos where celebrities in $20,000 dresses have bare toes peeping out—they couldn’t have swung a $20.00 pair of stockings? I have given up panty hose—they don’t work with the gadget I must now use to put things on my feet since my range of motion is limited. I simply do not feel dressed without them. Were I going a traditional burial, I would don hose (no pun intended) for the coffin; however, as my body will go for medical research, I just wear a smile and a toe tag.

If I ever do, shoot me.