This is a listening group that is intended to elicit smiles and outright laughter. There are many books of humor but the challenge is to find the type of humor that your residents can enjoy. Remember to read slowly and laugh out loud when appropriate so your listeners know it’s ok. Do not choose overly long stories or the punch line may lose its meaning when people lose interest. Do not choose complicated jokes or stories with too many characters or actions. Stick to things with which your listeners have had experience. The Garrison Keillor books are especially good because the stories involve daily lives of “good Norwegian Lutherans,” and the nuances of living in a small town. The Back to Basic book is simply a hilarious collection of outhouse stories that everyone over sixty can really appreciate. This is a fun group and a good one to save for the last activity of the day.
Book Suggestions for this activity:
- Real Scandinavians Never Ask Directions by Art Lee
- Garrison Keillor; Leaving Home by Garrison Keillor
- Cream Peas on Toast by Janet Letnes Martin
- My Folks; Back to Basics, Michelle Webb, editor
- How to Shovel Manure and Other Life Lessons for the Country Woman by Gwen Peterson
- A Scruffy Husband is a Happy Husband by Ron Lee
- Laughter is the Spice of Life by Clairmont, Meberg, and Swindall
- Left Over Lefse by Art Lee
- She Who Laughs Last by Ann Spangler
- Life Among Lutherans by Garrison Keillor