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I love this new coffee talk feature - it is so cool to read what others think about the storylines and the characters, good and bad. I have been reading the strip since it first came out (I was ten) and I personally don't think it has ever lost steam. Being the parent of a three year old, I do think that Michael has been very selfish in the past spending so much of his time on his writing instead of his family, and Liz was selfish to think that Paul should move south with her (although it was pretty sleazy of him to start dating Susan before he had broken up with Liz), but no one said that these characters were supposed to be perfect and always make the right choices! They are who they are, and I am grateful for being able to look into their lives for all of these years.

Missy, IA

I want to thank you for the story line on grandpa Jim's stroke. You have shown, true to life, the frustration along with the trails and tribulations that comes with stroke recovery . I had a major stroke 5 years ago at the age of 22, and actually your comic helped me to read again. I would like it if you could, some how, show or make a comment about young stroke survivors. Most people think that only old people have strokes when in reality anyone at any age can have a stroke. Thanks again for a wonderful comic strip.

Elizabeth, Florida

Obviously the last comment I read was written by a teenager. I agree with Eva. April is spoiled as ae most yongest children (although not in my family). April is lucky, in that she has a loving family and is not moving to the other side of the country. At least sheis still in the same school with all of her friends and her band. Her parents are planning an apartment for her in the basement, what more could she want. She should buck up and think about the kids whose parents are overseas in the military and how hard it is for them. But then I'm an adult and not as understanding as Elly.

On a different note; I am disappointed that Elizabeth is getting back with Anthony. She is too young to be saddled with another man's child and she is not thinking of ther repercussions. Many women have married men with children only to find out that the man was looking fro a quick fix as to what to do with the children and who will care for them. Perhaps Anthony is not that way, but I would be very wary if I were Elizabeth and would hope that sooner or later, Elly and John would realize this and give her some straight talk about a marriage with a built in child, instead of telling her that Anthony is the "one." Ultimately, it is Elizabeth's decision, but given the way Anthony's ex feels about Elizabeth, I can see some real problems here. She may be out of the picture now, but she could be back int he blink of an eye, if she wanted to.

Ellen, MA

Hi Lynn,
I truly enjoy reading your strip and I've been reading it for years. I have Strip Fix in my Favourites and like many of your readers, it's more often than not the first thing I do when I get up in the morning. I can't remember exactly when I started reading it. I just know it's been for a very long time.
I'm thankful the strip is available online because I don't buy our local newspaper. I can get all the news I need online.
I have read the comments of the readers for a while now and I felt compelled to put in my opinion. I enjoy reading your strip because it is often true to life. The characters and/or the story line are not perfect which is how real people and life is. I'm glad you portrait your strip that way. If everything was "picture perfect", you may not have been as succesful as you are. As an example, when Mike went back for his laptop instead of being with his family. How many people would have done the same thing? It may not have been the right thing to do but it is what he did. One last thing, I dread the changes in your format but I understand you do what you have to do. Thank you for all you have given to us readers. By the way, it is the only comic strip I read.

Aline, South Porcupine Ontario

I've not been happy with John manipulating the family into making the move that he wants to -- in order to have a place for his toys. He needs to apologize to Elly for pressuring her. He needs to start work on the the basement apartment for April BEFORE he starts making an elaborate train layout in the back yard. I lost a lot of respect for him through this whole process -- and I'm a decades-long reader.

Sharon H

I got to know the fborfw comic strips when I spent several months in Canada in 1997. Since then I am a passionate reader. On daily bases I check how the Pattersons are doing :-) I wish it would be much easier getting your books back in Germany. Thank you for all the efforts you put in this work!

Stephanie, Badd Homburg, Germany

What is the matter with these people who have to sound off big time? Maybe I've been reading a different comic strip all these years. I feel that the Pattersons and their "related" characters are a big part of my own extended family.

I'm loving that Liz and Anthony are getting together. She will prove that she can still be herself and not be a slave to a husband.

So thank you, Lynn, for all the years of enjoyment. Your strip fix is my first stop, right after my scripture reading of the day, while the coffee is perking.

Geri C, NYC

Lynn, you are one class act; courageous and gutsy, especially when some people seem to have a pathological need to whine and find fault. I hope those who have written so bitterly get help with finding some real peace, and not just a momentary "venting" of the steam of their discontent and pain.

It amazes me that people take FBorFW so seriously that they forget it is FICTION. All who read this strip have their own reasons for escaping from the world for 30 seconds each day. Those who read full length novels do it in larger chunks of time, but the principle of action is the same. If the plotline doesn't please me, I don't bother finishing the book. Likewise, there are many strips that I cannot stand, so I don't read them at all. But I would never write the creator and slam the work!

Bill Watterson's Calvin and Hobbes was quite often repetitive and obnoxious, especially as Calvin "escaped" as some sort of space hero. Still, as a parent and grandparent, I could find the humor in most of the strips, whether I saw it from Calvin's point of view or that of the others. But Calvin never grew, and there is only so much one can twist the themes at his age. Had FBorFW's characters been stagnated at one age, I'm sure you would have come to the same decision as Watterson. It's called "integrity."

I, too, predicted some of the current story arcs. This is simply an indication of how well (and consistently) the arcs were written over the years, and how realistic the characters have been. I could predict what Picard, Riker, Data, Geordy, and the others in Star Trek: Next Generation would do, too, because I enjoyed following that particular spinoff. Did that make the characters or the storylines unbelievable? Of course not. Every reader of fiction must "suspend their disbelief" in order for the story to unfold and work its magic. Frankly, I find the Harry Potter gimmicks much harder to suspend my disbelief over, but to write JK Rowling and demand changes would be one very selfish thing to do. I don't need to feed my ego in that way.

What you have done, over these past 25+ years, is weave a tale, one miniscene at a time. This is an incredible feat! Any good fiction author would admit that the process of writing involves planning, organization, and sequencing...and the courage to change it all because the characters seem to start dictating the course of the action. If there is some foreshadowing, good! If there is some predictability, good! Personally, I'm glad Elizabeth is getting back with Anthony, because I think it shows her course of maturity. Those who are dissatisfied because Anthony is not "exciting" are seeking to impose their own lifestyle choices in a vain attempt at control of someone else's world because they feel so incapable in and dissatisfied with their own. And, yes, I have the education and training to back up that statement.

So, thank you, Lynn, for weaving a tale that has been so delightful all the while probing some rather difficult issues. I have enjoyed the fun moments, pondered on the more serious ones, and allowed you to help me clarify my thoughts and feelings on important issues. I have not always agreed with you, but I have always respected you. I am grateful for the research you do, the consultants who have informed and guided you, and your marvelous family and staff who support you so very well. Bravo to Stephanie, especially, from a mom/advocate/therapist of special needs adults.

Grace, Auburn, NY

I have tracked FBorFW for many years, getting hooked on it while while stationed in Germany from 1991-2000, (my wife actually got me hooked) and now again while deployed to Iraq here in 06-07, I have to have my daily fix. I would like to thank you for letting me become a part of your family in many ways I see my own family in yours, especially April. I trully believe that in some small way your strip has helped me to become a better husband, father and person. I hope that you enjoy writing this strip just as much as we enjoy reading it. I dread thinking of the day that you may stop. Thank you! P.S. the web-site is great!

George

While I do not agree with all of your decisions or with all of the criticisms that I have read, I admire you for publishing the rants. It takes courage. Good luck with the hybrid.

Diane S., Roanoke VA

What a great job you are all doing to assist Lynn with this great comic strip. I know that there are many behind the scene people to help make a great project happen. I know I appreciate Lynn and her staff. Good Job.

[Thank you very much] Doreen K, Farmington, New Mexico

To Oasis, Michigan, from a few days ago, who asked why Lynn hated April: the reason is that April is not modeled after one of Lynn's own children, so she is the scapegoat. She's also the only one who has any semblance of a personality. She's also the only one who cares enough to visit Gramps out of anything other than guilt and obligation. She's also the only one who cares about the pets. She's also the only one who cares about anyone other than herself. The elder two children (can't really say "adult children," can we?) are as self-absorbed as Johnston herself is. If April were a real person, I'd pray for her to get out of town before Mom Elly tries to set her up with another doormat (such as Dee or Blandthony). Maybe she can continue to cultivate her own, non-needy, interesting personality with her relatives in Manitoba.

If I were one of Johnston's kids, I'd cry at the way I'd be portrayed at this strip.

And I know we all LOVE to demonize Paul, but I'd say he dodged a bullet. Bent over backwards to please Miss Perfect, and then all of a sudden gets labeled a cheater, and the inherent racism of "he belongs with his own kind" is just too disgusting to even think about. Anti-miscegenation much, Lynn?

Laura, Washington DC [You can meet Lynn's kids here on our Real People page, which contains more information on their similarity to (and difference from) Mike and Liz.]

Lynn,
Have no fear you are so right on target. You are sharing your life and world with all of us. How could it be otherwise? Thank you for sharing your world with us.
I might add that I am so very pleased that the Great Country of CANADA stands strong above me.

Gerre A, Rhode Island USA

My favorite strip was when Meredith and Robin flushed Ned and some socks down the toilet. I like that Robin flushed the 2nd sock down thinking it would find the other one.

Xavier, age 10