Tabitha Johnston/Chronicle Lyn Widmyer, comedian and author of Four Season Books’ top selling book of 2017, Chasing Pills, speaks to members of Shepherdstown Area Independent Living during its Brown Bag lunch Friday afternoon.

Author and comedian Lyn Widmyer spoke during Shepherdstown Area Independent Living’s April Brown Bag Luncheon at Trinity Episcopal Fellowship Hall on Friday afternoon.

“Chasing Pills,” one of Widmyer’s three books, was Four Seasons Books’ 2017 best-selling book. It and her two other humorous books, “Chasing Cows” and “Chasing Votes,” inspired her discussion about the humor in life experiences and the aging process during the monthly event.

“Lyn has been a longtime supporter of SAIL, and approaches aging with a sense of humor and zest for life,” said SAIL board president Carolyn Rodis, who mentioned Widmyer held various public service roles for 30 years, and was elected a Jefferson County Commissioner in 2008.

“The Death Penalty chapter in my last book is about dealing with someone poor of hearing,” Widmyer said, referring to her husband, who often refuses to wear his hearing aids. “My husband and I are in this tangle, this dance around the hearing issue. When we were in Washington, D.C., I suggested going to the portrait museum, and my husband said, ‘Why would I want to go to a corset museum?’ “

“Technology is really great, but only 64 percent of our age group are part of Facebook and other social media sites,” Widmyer said. “That means 36 percent aren’t connected to the internet and feel isolated. That’s why we have to promote groups like SAIL, to address the issue of isolation.”

Widmyer said she understands why a lot of seniors dislike modern technology when the old methods worked well.

“Why do we have to go to the internet? Why can’t we do things on the phone anymore? When you stay stuff like, ‘I won’t get a cellphone,’ you are forcing yourself to remain behind everyone,” Widmyer said, adding that learning technology provides a way to connect with the next generation.

“We need to not forget the next generation and what they can do for us,” Widmyer said. “They challenge us and don’t allow us to stick to our ‘old people’ ways. Sometimes we have clutter in our heads that keeps us from looking forward to the future, but we need to stop looking to the past. Trust the future.”

Widmyer will be SAIL’s keynote speaker at its annual Founders Dinner on May 16 at the Erma Byrd Center, and is available for other speaking engagements via her website or social media accounts at lynwidmyer.net/.