With the Writers Guild strike lasting long enough for the seasons to have changed, clothing became an issue. Weather is one of the factors that makes picketing on the East Coast more problematic than it is in LA. Two young writers on the picket line were carping that they're happier picketing on the West Coast, setting forth as their reason, "My best feature are my legs." I responded that I prefer picketing in New York, explaining, "My best feature are my coats."

Along with all the other complications of a long strike, it was no longer possible to walk in my comfortable Mephisto sandals, forcing me to rethink my picketing wardrobe and purchase walking shoes (a.k.a. picketing shoes) and appropriate cold weather accessories, meaning layers, a scarf, a hat and gloves suitable for holding a sign. While there are holiday sales and cruise wear lines in the stores, nobody has promoted a line of picketing fashions, which would have been a supportive show of solidarity. If there are stores selling pasta shaped like a penis, someone could introduce clothing for labor strikes.

Imagine, therefore, my horror when my husband/writing partner called out with glee, "They're back at the table and may be close to reaching an agreement!" Why didn't the Writers Guild hint that I shouldn't snip off the tags of my newly purchased picketing garments?