Lagniappe
(A Little Something Extra)

In Cajun culture, merchants have a custom of offering their customers an extra, unexpected gift -
the equivalent of the thirteenth bun in a "baker's dozen".
That little bonus or small gift is called "lagniappe" (pronounced lan'-yap).
This page is our small gift to you, our treasured visitors.
We are including an eclectic assortment of elements - movie and book recomendations, favorite songs and anything that resonates with women our age - things that make us feel good about ourselves and this exciting period in our lives. We welcome suggestions or recommendations for inclusion.

In January 2007, Queen Carol and Hons' Web Mistress Dee (Lady Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler) had the pleasure of appearing on the Retirement Network television program, "The Voice", with the three authors of a wonderful book called "Invisible No More: The Secret Lives of Women Over 50". Joyce Kramer, Renee Fisher and Jean Peelen are such delightful, intelligent and witty ladies; it was truly a treat to be able to visit with them!
Their book is for and about women our age; it is honest, sad, funny and enlightening. Each author shares her own anxieties, fears and experiences; collectively, their stories are quite revealing and make for a book which is hard to put down. They were brave enough (and smart enough) to put into words what most of us have felt about moving into and thriving during the second half of our lives. Joyce and Renee and Jean help us understand that passing 50 is not the end but rather the beginning of something wonderful! "Invisible No More" is self-published but available at Amazon and other outlets listed on their website at www.invisiblenomore.com.

"For these three brave women, life began at 50 years of age when they made a decision to be honest about themselves. Thankfully, they have shared their stories with us."
Betty Friedan - Author of The Feminine Mystique

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Among our favorite movies are two British films which are wonderful fare
for Red Hatters; must-see motion pictures for ladies of any age!

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"Shirley Valentine" released in 1989 is about a middle-aged Liverpool housewife, who finds herself talking to the wall while she prepares her husband's meals, wondering what happened to her life. She compares scenes in her current life with what she used to be like and feels she's stagnated and in a rut. But when her best friend wins an all-expenses-paid vacation to Greece for two, Shirley begins to see the world, and herself, in a different light. Great story and great performance by Pauline Collins.
In 1990, this movie was nominated for: 2 Oscars (Best Actress and Best Music), 3 Golden Globes (Best Picture, Best Original Song and Best Actress) and 1 Grammy (Best Song).


The much-nominated song from this movie is "The Girl Who Used to Be Me". Sung by Patti Austin and included in her album,"Love is Gonna Getcha", it is poignant and touching - a mellifluous voice singing lyrics (see below) which say so much about the way we let our dreams slip away.

A bird is born to fly
born for the moment
it takes to the sky
and all its dreams
are riding on its wings.

But if it falls
The dreams are not broken
as long as the wind is fair
The sky is always there.

The girl who used to be me
She could fly, she was free
You could read by the light of her smile.
The girl who used to be me
Used to go dancing.
She’s been gone such a long, long while.

She left without a sound
Nobody noticed she wasn’t around
And only the moon remembers her at all.

The days go by
You start asking questions
You’re wondering why
Why did the dreams all go?
I guess it’s time to know.

The girl who used to be me
She could fly, she was free
And she wrote all the words to her song
The girl who used to be me
Used to go dancing
And I feel she’s been gone too long.

I’d like the chance to be the girl who used to be me.



"Calendar Girls" was released in 2004. When a group of extraordinary women are looking for a new way to raise money for the "Women's Institute" in Great Britian, they decide to take the annual calendar, normally featuring landscapes and flowers, and create something traditional - but with a twist. Behind the baked goods, the apple-pressing and flower arranging, the women are completely nude. Based on a true story of a group of women who bare all - or nearly all - for charity and become international celebrities as a result. A delightful film full of wonderful actresses.

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In 1972, Helen Reddy's song, "I Am Woman", won a Grammy; at the award ceremony, Reddy famously thanked "God because she makes everything posssible". This song (see lyrics below) became an enduring anthem for the women's liberation movement.

I am woman, hear me roar
In numbers too big to ignore
And I know too much to go back and pretend
'Cause I've heard it all before
And I've been down there on the floor
No one's ever gonna keep me down again

Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I've gained.
If I have to, I can do anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman

You can bend but never break me
'Cause it serves to only make me
More determined to achieve my final goal
And I come back event stronger
Not a novice any longer
'Cause you deepened the conviction in my soul

I am woman, watch me grow
Ses me standing toe to toe
As I spread my loving arms across the land
But I am still am embryo
With a long, long way to go
Until I make my brother understand

Oh yes, I am wise
But it's wisdom born of pain
Yes, I've paid the price
But look how much I've gained
If I have to, I can face anything
I am strong
I am invincible
I am woman

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Another song which seemed to resonate with women was K.T. Oslin's "80's Ladies" released in 1987. In 1988, it won a Grammy and the Country Music Award for "Best Song" and became the signature women's song of the 80's. Oslin, whose trademark had been her age, achieved fame with this song (see lyrics below) at age 46!

We were three little girls from school
One was pretty, one was smart
And one was a borderline fool
Well she's still good lookin'
That woman hasn't slipped a bit
The smart one used her head
She made a fortune
And me, I cross the border every chance I get

We were the girls of the 50's
Stoned rock and rollers in the 60's
And more than our names got changed
As the 70's slipped on by
Now we're the 80's ladies
There ain't been much these ladies ain't tried

We were educated
We got liberated
And had complicated matters with men
Oh, we said "I do"
And we signed "I don't"
And we've sworn we'd never so that again
Oh, we burned our bras
And we burned our dinners
And we burned our candles at both ends
And we've had some children
Who look just like the way we did back then

Oh, but we're all grown up now
All grown up
But none of us could tell you quite how.

We were the girls of the 50's
Stoned rock and rollers in the 60's
Hunny, more than our names got changed
As the 70's slipped on by
Now we're 80's ladies
There ain't much these ladies haven't tried

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(STILL UNDER CONSTRUCTION - PLEASE COME BACK SOON!)

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