Following lots of reading, riding, and thinking, I have now formulated my riding philosophy:

I'm in charge.

I am my own marshall on the road.

I take the space I need, which means that if I think a lane is too narrow for the car and myself (or, approaching a turn, if I think we shouldn't go in there side by side), I just make sure that the driver will see it's not possible to share the lane. As soon as it's practical for me to move back to the right of the road, I do, and motion the car to pass me if it's safe to do so.

I ride a straight line. I don't weave to the right in-between parked cars.

I never ride closer than 3 feet to the curb, so to be in the field of vision of drivers coming from all directions.

I motion drivers not to go through intersections when I'm coming (with a "stop" sign with my hand), because I know that they might not judge my speed properly.

When I feel that I'm safe again and that they can pass (or go), I wave them through.

I give drivers the thank you sign (sort of a wave that starts with my fingers on my lips, rather universally understood it seems - good for them if they think it's a kiss!!!). (I try to make sure there's no bike behind me before I wave drivers through... and if I do see a bike, I sort of point it to the driver.)

I am assertive, but not aggressive.

I recognize that most drivers are afraid of hitting a cyclist and don't quite know how to behave around them, especially fast-moving road cyclists. So I make the decisions for them. It doesn't hold them back for more than a few seconds, and I am yet to experience an aggressive response (although again I do live in Vancouver, not Central Texas).

Your mileage may vary. But I thought I'd share what has been a successful riding style for me since I've implemented it. What other tricks do you ladies have?