Coffee Talk
Welcome to Elly's Coffee Talk, where every day we feature some of the comments we get from Lynn's devoted readers, and occasionally we'll share a message from Lynn herself. If you have a comment or a story that relates to FBorFW, please share it by clicking on "Spill Your Beans Here"!


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Lynn Responds to Your Mail

It seems like I've been following your strip for most of my daughters life. Being twenty nine now, she was close enough to Michaels age that it was always easy to relate to. Like an old friend, you have faithfully followed me on postings around the country. Since i became a granny last year, it has been a great joy to revisit all your old books. Did I like that our timelines sometimes mirrored? Of course i did. Do i mind that the timelines are shifting? Not when I'm lucky enough to be retired. I get that there comes a time when our bodies need more tlc than working long days will allow. Selfishly, i would rather still be able to enjoy the heart of the strip than see it completely retire. You've made me laugh and you've made me cry, but you've always made me think. I thank you for that.

Janet, Greenwood, Nova Scotia


The strip won't completely retire and neither will I. I'm not entirely sure how it'll appear in its new format, but I'll definitely be adding new material in a consistent manner!

Just wanted to say a quick thank you. I start my day, everyday reading on this site. Each day I look forward to what is going to happen tomorrow.
When Liz went up to teach at Mtigwaki it hit real close to home. I am adopted and live on a First Nation in Southern Ontario. I went to live with my birth mother, who was teaching on a small Northern First Nation. It was exactly as you had depicted in the strip. It brought back many, many memories. Right down to the bush guy and city girl. I loved the way you used our language. My children speak it, me not so much, so I would stick those on our fridge. The kids thought it was great to see their language in the comic strip. Thank you for bringing up great memories, and getting them so true to life.

Sharon, Aamjiwnaang First Nation


Hi Sharon. Glad you liked the Mtigwaki stories. The village and the people are based on the places around us in Northern Manitoba and here, around the northern Great Lakes. Perry McLeod-Shabogesic and his family helped me to give everything a taste of Ojibway First Nation life, humour and vocabulary. [You can read more about the McLeod-Shabogesics here.]

I've followed FBOFW all my adult life and am glad to see there are others just as obsessed with the family I call "Clan Jon & Elly". So many story lines have hit close to home, but none more so than Liz's relationship with Anthony.

In 1995, more than seventeen years after we graduated from high school and went our separate ways, I married my high school sweetheart! Like Anthony, I had married someone who wasn't really interested in being married and had a child with him. Also like Anthony, I soon found myself a single parent. There were several times over the years that I saw my old high school sweetie and boy, the feelings were intense, yet mixed. Finally, he drove down to see me and just laid it all on the table - how he'd always loved me and wanted to be a father to my son. Twelve years later, I know that saying "yes" was the best thing I ever did. I hope it happens for Liz and Anthony, as well!

Ruth Z, Lubbock TX

Congratulations on finding the right guy. I too hope Liz reunites with old friends. All the best, Lynn.

The strip has touched my heart and soul for years with each new major plot emergence. So many of your stories are "OUR STORIES". Children grow. Some marry. Some move away. We are gifted with grandchildren. We love and loose relatives, beloved pets and friends. And, I am so happy for you that your marriage endures - mine ended after 31 years 10 yrs ago, I am so "jealous" of the marvelous relationship that endures in your real life, and, in the 'funnies'.
The strip is the only thing I absolutely must have every morning - and I am already having moments of pre-seperation anxiety!
It's like when my best friend retired to Costa Rica. I was lost for the first few months - but now I have a great vacation destination.

COULD YOU USE A NEW FRIEND : "GREAT COOK, EFFICIENT, ORGANIZER, WILL DO WINDOWS, CLEAN UP BUNNY DROPPINGS AND DUST BUNNIES!

Avainable for scheduled Spring cleaning ritual.
Terms - 1 weeks room and board; no salary needed! ( OH YES...., and I have a sense of humor. No response necessary as this is 'just' a love letter.

CJ Romero, Sacramento CA

You sound like WONDERFUL friend material and I'm sure you have many! There's nothing like good friends to pull you through the hard times. Lynn.

As a speech pathologist I have always enjoyed your use of special ed. kids in the strip. As a speech pathologist, however, I was horrified to read Shannon's explanation of her speech difficulties. Surely the dots in the script indicate pauses. CP kids don't talk any slower than anyone else. And four years for repair? In Canada? You folks have socialized medicine, right? CP repairs begin when the child is born and are always done in stages. Maybe I'm being professionally picky, but I expected more of you, Lynn.

Cheryl J., South Pasadena CA


Dear Cheryl,
I appreciate your concern re: Shannon's speech. The character is in reality, my niece Stephanie. The cleft palate and four years to repair it comment is part of her true life story. She not only speaks slowly in order to form her words properly, she has a difficult time with her voice and therefore speaks through her nose. I couldn't write the way she really speaks without offending her and many others. Putting a speech problem in print is extremely difficult, so I chose the dots instead, with Stephanie's approval. Hope this helps to explain.
Lynn.