Holding a copy of Laura Ingalls Wilder's "Little House on the Prairie" in her hands, Betty Thompson asked everyone in the room to close their eyes and imagine.
She asked them to envision leaving a snug home to sit on a hard seat and travel across the prairie -- the journey described at the end of the book.
"They left the house in the woods," Thompson said. " ... Now they're leaving that secure home for what I think is a big question mark in front of them."
Thompson encourages the people at about 15 nursing homes and elderly care residences she visits weekly to use their imaginations.
"It takes us out of our everyday existence," Thompson, 66, of Brackenridge, said.
On Thursday, she visited Golden Living Center in Oakmont. Six women, all seated in wheelchairs, listened to her read "Little House on the Prairie."
She reads with animation and expressive hand gestures. Every so often, she stops to ask the residents questions. She asks them to recall events from previous chapters and if they have ever done anything similar to the books' characters.
Thompson is now in her fourth year with the program. As senior outreach program coordinator, she's employed by several local libraries who sponsor her work.
The number of participants differs at each facility. Some months, she'll see more than 100 residents at a single facility.
Residents anticipate Thompson's visits.
"The residents love it," said Karen Belin, activities director at Golden Living Center. "It's so animated. It takes you into it like you were there."
Along with enjoyment, Thompson's visits could be beneficial in other ways, according to Dr. Susan Hardy, an assistant professor at University of Pittsburgh's School of Medicine in the department of medicine's division of geriatric medicine. Hardy also works with University of Pittsburgh Medical Center.
Hardy said having a stimulus like reading or conversation during the day time can be helpful to keep residents oriented and awake in the daytime.
During the week, Thompson visits facilities in Tarentum and Natrona. She reads, shares stories and asks questions.
For her, the biggest thrill is when people respond.
"There's a gentleman who will actually giggle," she said. "I don't know if he can talk, but we enjoy reading funny stories that peak their interest, I hope."
For about the past month, she's been reading "Little House on the Prairie," which she finished this week. During the summer she presents "Betty's Book Club." She'll begin Wilder's "On the Banks of Plum Creek" next week.
During the year she usually presents a different program each week. Some presentations include information about Harriet Tubman, Memorial Day and the history of the polka.
Belin points out Thompson's attachment to the residents.
As the hour session was ending Thursday, Thompson bid farewell to the residents of Golden Living Center.
"Each of you is a precious gift I give myself when I come here," she said before packing away her book and leaving until next time.
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