But think of the campaigns - “If I were Russian, I’d be rushin’ to invest” or “Putin’ your money where it belongs.” Mon dieu, every five years it’s a different group of foreign investors coming to turn us into, well, foreigners, I guess, and (1) I’m still not Japanese (remember?) - although that would be fine, and (2) our own worst enemy continues to be our ignorant, insular selves. My own “Who do they think they are?” anecdote is about the Russian man driving on the highway who got out to help another driver stranded in the median during a blizzard. This good soul was killed by an oncoming car. I never met him, but his family was nice.

We should start two chains: Mommy ‘n Me Poledancing and Pimps ‘R Us, complete with the best trash costuming e-v-er. Taking serious control of the sex trade and putting our daughters right into the center of it (on stage and in bed - not in the boardroom ala Heffner) is the only way the knuckleheads’ll ever see it from a different perspective.

Buster told me the school sent home one of those “Our kids are too fat” memos and they’ve put you on a sugar restrictive diet. They’re afraid to tell you about the district-wide plan because the week before the school sent home a “Our kids need better self-esteem” memo. Happened at my house, too. From now on, we’re gonna have to get out candy from strangers, that’s what I say.

The ghost of my grandmother yelling, “So, you think we’re the Rockafella’s?” Something is always left on or open. Is there an HGTV program for home energy losers like my crew?

Yes, it seems quite inappropriate to bring a date to a resignation. But to the question posed, haven’t the events proven that we have nothing to offer about what Silba should do? What have we learned most if not that we are clueless about what goes on in people’s lives. Maybe she knew. Perhaps she is relieved. Preposterous you say? At this point, nothing is too outrageous, I counter. We don’t know their lives and minds and circumstances, so why offer advice? Personally, to get through this I’ve been thinking a lot about the late comedian Sam Kinison. In his routines, Kinison had a habit of treating all women like money-hungry bimbos. Every time I wanted to say something like, “Men are pigs” I would think of Sam and his nauseating generalizations and bite my tongue. It has helped. So, in sum, a resignation brought about by sexual impropriety is not a prom, Silba needs some space and peace, and when it comes to men - don’t be a Sam.

I am a Lakes Coast gal (as in the Great Lakes), who has spent much time working in the East as well as the Southwest. I am married to a Swede and have a small apartment in that country. I’ve gotten around. I was raised in a very male household, and treated exactly as my brothers. My own life has worked well in part because I learned to play with boys and work with men. I didn’t come to the game expecting that because of my gender I might not be let in. I learned about exclusion later, but because of such a strong foundation, it never derailed me. Now, I have three daughters. I cannot give them the same environment I had, but I so desperately want them to experience a female President of the United States. Yesterday sledding with my youngest, my daughter got in line to take the biggest of the bumps. A boy behind her yelled over to his friend who was not in line, “Hey, how much of a chicken are you? You’re gonna let a girl beat you?” My daughter rode her saucer down the hill, hit the bump, took to the air, came down hard, half on half off her sled. It looked like she was about to cry, but she didn’t. She got up and gathered her stuff. As we walked away from the park at dusk, she asked me why I didn’t say something to the boy who had teased her. “Your taking on that course proved that girls are tough, certainly more than anything I could have said,” I told her. We do not, as a gender, seek political office in adequate numbers. (I witness the activities of women in government in Scandinavia, for example). We do not, as a gender, take enough chances and work for more control in government and commerce. Half of me is appalled that my main focus this election is gender; the other half believes that in the long run, a greater good will come of our breaking the log jam and electing a woman, if for nothing else than to start to put an end to the pervasive, limiting, “just a girl” assumptions and to encourage more female participation. And because actions do speak louder than words, I believe we need to do what it takes to get Hillary there. I know there are many problems with this approach, I know the strengths of the other candidates, and I know - thank goodness - that we as women are not a single-minded entity. But I cannot shake the impressions of my own experience: I was in elementary school at the time she ran, but I remember Shirley Chisolm. I remember thinking the 1972 version of this is way cool. Now enough with possibilities. Our girls and boys need realities.

Gap gave catering a shot. Forth & Towne lasted about 16 months pushing a June Cleaver Goes to University and Gets Boho. I knew they were in trouble when I realized the store’s acronym was FAT. Priceless.

Tailored suiting that covers and still looks fresh and inviting? MillyNy.com (Spring 2008 Collection). A man to study to learn how a luscious material alone can make you feel fabulous and look sexy, no matter how much skin he covers up: NaeemKhan.com (Spring 2008 - blue metallic jacket with white capris). Not all the looks on these sites are going to work for us, but I shoot the NYC Fashion Week shows and I’ve learned to stay sane by thinking of a collection as one might entertain a laid back approach to golf: it’s enough to feel the magic smack of the ball just a few times a round. With designers, I watch the runway and spy for those outfits that will look ageless. When they appear, I feel such immense satisfaction. But a few is not enough. To increase our options, a sheer chiffon blouse, like the Parameter sand crinkle (bluefly.com) can turn a naked dress or top into a wardrobe staple. I also put James Pearse long sleeve cotton Ts to the same use. Although his items are usually in the “Kids” section and his sizing is that dreadful 1, 2, or 3 - however that translates - his cotton is sheer and improves with wear so it looks perfectly intentional. To Sue Alt, check out the tops at WhiteHouseBlackMarket.com for ideas. The material may not be as breathable as you need, but the site offers style, structure, and a covered arm. I’ll keep thinking. EileenFisher.com offers better fabrics, but not in your look. And Grace - with your great body parts and the option for silky floaty, visit LorisDiran.com. Would any of the 2008 Part 1 styles work for you if they were made a little longer? Or an addition to that white strapless dress? There’s certainly nothing youngster in his seriously gorgeous fabrics. He is one who should be encouraged to fill the clothing gap.

I just jumped online at Saks.com and found a Donna Karan jersey knit jumper that is classy enough for anywhere - and marked down. Over at Macys, it looks like Elle Tahari keeps improving her grown up-girl suit lines. This is a great time of year to explore what is out there, whether it’s end of season or what’s next. I might try a different waistline on a dress or pant, or something with a more decorated neckline or a richer but still subtle fabric. I don’t focus so much on what everyone else is doing, but instead consider my shape (whatever it seems to be that season), my comfort zone (cover the arms by under layering with a sheer blouse or super thin silk long or short sleeve turtleneck or leotard), play to my best asset, and be willing to give something new - and I don’t mean “young” - a chance. Sometimes I’ll order two sizes of the same piece, because there really is no hassle in returning. Boutiques in the upscale parts of towns or cities seem to be gaining momentum, and when I’m on the road I always try to make time to visit a new shopping area, just for a different perspective. All this helps me discover new labels and experiment with a few different cuts, colors, and materials. The most important thing is to make the effort to try it on, to not get psyched out by the thought of a dreadful dressing room with cellulite-producing lighting. Otherwise, I find I get into a rut, reckon - mistakenly - that certain things will always look bad on me, and end up with a closet full of bland. And absolutely yes on the suggestion to find a local atelier. If you cannot locate the services of a female dressmaker, stop in at a local men’s tailor and ask for help. Remember when half the fun of shopping was the hunt? I think it is more rewarding now because it is harder.