"People who live in duplexes have a lot in common." ~ Barbara Noel
Ninety-four-year-old Barbara Noel lives at Grizzly Peak Retirement Community in Missoula. She just published her fourth book, Puns Remembered. Her first three books are Puns Intended, volumes 1, 2, and 3.
With help from a friend and a granddaughter, all four books were published in her 90s.
Gerald C. (Jerry) Kempthorne, MD, lived at Grizzly Peak for a while. He enjoyed hearing Barbara's puns and encouraged her to publish a book, in spite of her physical challenges.
"Barbara is now 94. She’s legally blind," Jerry told Chérie Newman during Barbara's latest book signing event. "She’s not ashamed to say that she has macular degeneration. And it has affected her vision so she really can’t see except with large magnifying glasses and has to sit on top of television to see any bit of it. She uses an electric typewriter—with lots of mistakes. She’s very happy, optimistic. And the most amazing thing is that every day when she goes to breakfast, she brings a new pun to the table."
Barbara's granddaughter, Tammy Norman, transcribes Barbara's typewritten pages into computer documents. "When she does it on an electric typewriter," she said, "she’s not always on the right keys. She’s often off a few letters. But I can usually interpret what she’s doing and I know her style."
Purchase copies of Barbara's books by calling her at 406-549-4040.