Tuesday
February 9, 2010

I love Sunday's strip! I remember this one from when it was first published. But it's funnier now because I have a roommate that actually refuses to ever take the trash out (or clean up after himself for that matter, THANK GOD he is moving out soon!) I have so many times seen a beer can or crumpled paper precariously on the top of the recycling bins just because it wouldn't fall on the floor...unfortunately, for the others in the house, he would just put it on the floor if there was no more room in the bins....

Ryan, Seattle, WA, USA

Monday
February 8, 2010

It's just stopped snowing,here in Vienna. We're lucky, we haven't lost power, although we know people who have. It may be a record breaking snowstorm (the record was in 1922). I only have been out to shovel, while it was snowing to try and keep up. I'm debating whether to tramp thought it (shoes, no boots) to shake my clothesline free of snow before it breaks. I play Pet Pile up to relieve tension and put off going outside again. I hit "Give Me A Random Strip" and a few "Surprise" Strips. And What Comes Up - #7238 from 87-03-08. Punchline is We've Had Enough!!! (You Don't need the !!! to bring it up). Wow!

Timely and Appropriate! I strongly recommend it.

Amy D, Vienna, VA, USA

I don't have a single 'favorite strip,' but the story line that touched me to the bottom of my soul dealt with the death and funeral of Elly's mother. My father had died only a few months before this story began, and it brought me such comfort and solace -- it was as if Elly had anticipated my every response to this momentous event in any child's life, no matter how old the 'child' may be. It is Lynn's amazing ability to 'walk a mile in someone else's shoes' that makes FBFW such a realistic and believable strip. And her ability to lighten even the heaviest event with gentle humor gives it a place among the best.

Mary Van N, Oberlin, OH, USA

My grandfather passed away last September. A couple of years ago, for our anniversary, my husband got me an autographed print of Elizabeth dancing with Jim, as he remembered Marion. Every time I see that picture, I think of my Poppa. I don't know if it makes the heartache less or actually brings it forward, but it is a sadness I wouldn't trade. I enjoy the new/old strips, but I miss April, Iris, Grandpa Jim, and all of the characters I'd fallen in love with growing up with the strip.

Jessie P, Montgomery, AL, USA

Greetings, FBOFW fans and staff! Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Celebrate the love in your life!

Lucia A, MT, USA

Friday
February 5, 2010

Congratulations to Jim Inman, the winner of our January Coffee Talk Draw! Jim will be receiving his limited edition FBorFW print by mail shortly.

We are young senior citizens who started dating each other in 2001, after our spouses passed away in 2000. We met at a grief support group! We ESPECIALLY appreciated all the strips dealing with the courtship of Jim and Iris. Their courtship went VERY much like ours, and we had more fun with each of your strips. Thank you for sharing your talents and wonderful family with us.

Jim H and Jan F, Plymouth, MI, USA

Thursday
February 4, 2010

FBORFW has a unique "realism" to it, and I know that this feature makes it stand out among its peers...however, I was wondering if Lynn ever wanted to push her cartooning to another level (or has), i.e. Borgman/Waterson by utilizing the art and not confining the strip within it's set boundaries of dailies and Sunday strips...

Peter K, Poughkeepsie, NY, USA

There are no plans as yet to push FBFW into another realm...such as film, animation, illustrated novel, musical or daytime soap! But... never say never! LJ

Wait a minute: Connie dumps her child at a friend's house to run after a guy who doesn't give her a second thought. Lawrence gets hurt and Elly feels guilty? What's wrong with this picture?

Cheryl L, Forest City, NC, USA

I'm disappointed by Connie thinking that the right thing for her to do now is to "forget about Phil, visit with family and go straight home."

Since Lawrence has a broken leg, it would be a better idea for Connie to cancel any remaining visits with her family and just go home to take care of her son. All of her relatives are also relatives of Lawrence, and I'm sure they would understand her need to be with her injured son.

Joshua K, Chicago, IL, USA

Oh, it can be hard to follow one's own advice when one's in love! *Sigh!*

on another note: i love all the strips, but my favorite FBORFW strip right now, has to be: the one where connie has convinced elly to take a group exercise class, and either the instructor, or a michael jackson (he WAS a brilliant performer!) was in the background singing "let me hear your body talk, let me hear your body talk!" and elly says exhausted "i wish my body would just SHUT UP!" hahahahaha....

Meg, ME, USA

I can hardly wait to see what happens next. My life is so much like FBoFW, I draw inspiration from every strip. Lynn is the best. A1+++++!

Eino O, MN, USA

Tuesday
February 2, 2010

Someone on here asked about our favourite strips. I really can't pick out one single strip simply because there are so many good ones. However anytime my son or his friends do or say something odd, out of place or just plain annoying I feel my eyes start to bug out just like Elly's. I grew up relating to Mike and Elizabeth, but now I find i'm relating more to Elly.

Suzanne, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

OK,putting Lawrence into the car without paying close and careful attention to his head and neck may not have been the ideal response, but it was very much the REAL response which - "for better or for worse" - a lot of folks would have done had they been in Elly's place.

It is the little moments of humanity in all its glorious imperfections (such as this one) that make this strip so believable and so beloved. Let's relax and enjoy it folks, and let Lynn tell the story her way!

Kitty K, Boston, MA, USA

Well, today's strip is sort of normal behavior; Lawrence got tired of being strong and brave and let out the fear and pain (broken bones hurt like the dickens, after all) on someone he knew would feel sorry for him. It's like how when Lizzie fell down the stairs and had the wind knocked out of her; she caught her breath and started crying at the same time Elly appeared. Neither were faking to make a grown-up feel bad.

Paul J, Saint John, NB, Canada

I truly enjoyed your strips, especially the ones that remind me of my life with my children. So many events were basically alike, injuries, friends, animals and especially going back to work. Thank you for the memories.

Carmen B, Queens, NY, USA

Friday
January 29, 2010

Poor Elly. MORE guilt! Not only did she introduce Connie and Phil, but now Lawrence has been hurt "on her watch." Good decision, having him checked out at the hospital. Not so good a decision, scooping him up and hustling him into a car seat: keeping head abd neck properly sligned should always be "Priority Number One" when moving an Accident Victim.....

Anna M, Winnipeg, MB, Canada

Thanks so much for all you do, and the continuing additions to the FBoFW website. I've been enjoying reading through the strip catalog... particularly the old storylines.

I've got my favorites... and we hear from Lynn a lot. What about the rest of the team? What are you favorites?

Jim I, Bloomington, IN, USA

That's a tough question! April's birth, John dropping the turkey on his foot, Phil's attempts to stop smoking, Michael's trumpet lessons, Lizzie's bad hair days, all the Farley adventures ... There are too many favourites to pick just a few!

Thursday
January 28, 2010

Yes I personally know a couple whose little daughter drowned in a creek. The couple was very very heartbroken. Words can not convey their feelings they experienced. I am an avid reader Of FBorFW, and i remember this heart wrenching episode. It was a very heartfelt episode and a very touching heroic rescue by Farley. I still miss Farley!

This story reflects the unselfish love of Farley in rescuing April and the price he paid for his devotion and love.

Cindy C, Springfield, VA, USA