Do we get hot flashes because our bodies are yelling "Hey! I'm still a hot mama!", or does it have something to do with hormones? Well, probably it's hormones. Actually, it is hormones.

But we can make it through these wild temperature-fluctuating times with one of womankind's oldest weapons: fashion. That's right! While men were designing corsets, girdles, bras, high heels, and other torture devices for us, our great great great grandmothers were fighting the good fight and knitting themselves sweaters, shawls, socks, and iPod pouches. Well, that's probably not true. They were probably knitting the sweaters for their men folk. Out of nice, scratchy wool.

But we digress. No! We undress! Twenty times a day! Getting dressed used to be a simple matter of "Should I wear shoes, and whichYardley Slicker goes with this peasant blouse?". But a woman in menopause has so much more to consider than shoes and lipstick.

Planning one's attire in the winter is easy, providing you will be someplace that has a back door and big piles of clean snow. But dressing for the warmer seasons takes a great deal of strategic planning, and certain things must be taken into account before heading out for any social occasion:

• Do they have air conditioning?
• Is there a possibility of intermittent bloating?
• Will there be small, impressionable children there?

Because let's face it, there's a fine line between "cool comfort" and "indecent exposure". Fear not though, Web of the Quill has a solution! (Finally, a point.)

Lauren Elizabeth Pyle creates one-of-a-kind hand knitted shawls that are classy, elegant, cool, warm, fun, colorful, and flattering. Her unique designs drape and flow and swing in a variety of lengths, colors, weights, and yarns.

So put on that comfy little braless tank and then top it with a beautiful Web of the Quill shawl. Then when a hot flash is imminent, slide it languidly off your shoulders, or throw it off and shout "Hey! I'm a hot mama!".