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Hi Lynn,
Thank you for creating such a great strip that evolves and keeps me wanting to find out what happens next. I especially liked the Mtig story line. It was so well-drawn and fully realized, I could see it becoming a spinoff strip all its own (hey Perry!). And as an American, it made me appreciate Canada's history and diverse culture more. The new-old is interesting. I do like the new ones better, but it's fun to see to see how much your drawing and story lines have been refined and deepened over time. As for Elizabeth and Anthony, hey---it's your strip, and I know you'll keep us guessing as you never shy away from a challenging story line. Finally, I love Weed. He's a cool, interesting character with a great spark.

Anne T, Pennsylvania USA

I am all for depicting characters who have flaws--as long as those flaws are not presented as virtues.

I certainly hope that somebody in the strip points out to Anthony that emotional blackmail is NOT an appropriate way to address his 2.75-year-old daughter's anxieties about Liz's role in his life.

Katje B, Albany NY

Lynn and crew

It was wrong of you to use emotional blackmail on little two and half year old.

Even worse, you used Santa against her, as in if you make Elizabeth cry, you won't see Santa.

I never wanted to smack a fictictional character's smug look off their face as much as I wanted to smack Liz's latest love interest.

Kat K, Georgia

Dear Lynn, I have enjoyed your strip for many years now and really relate to it even though I have no children myself. I lost my mom 7 yrs ago and really miss her and I really related to Elly's father when he lost his wife because I saw my dad go through the same thing after being married for 51 1/2 yrs. I like it that Elizabeth and Anthony are together again but I feel that Anthony's daughter is spoiled and trying to be a brat in their relationship. It must have been hard for her though so I can see both sides. Keep up the good work!

Melinda, Monrovia CA

Each morning I check FB or W to find out if the story line returns to Elizabeth and Anthony. I was so delighted to see them back together and hope that she will marry her high school sweetheart (as perhaps I should have done). I did not like either Paul or Warren and was so glad when they were no longer in the picture. Please, don't bring them back.

Wedding bells for Elizabeth and Anthony!?!?!? It is not good for the child to think she can control the adults.

Anonymous

Anthony is a terrible parent, even without considering the kiddie cage in the basement. For a guy who was unnervingly obsessed with having a child and rearing it on his own, he is now switching gears. All of a sudden, that child he was desperate to have - isn't enough. Now he's stooping to manipulating a three-year old by threatening her with Santa's displeasure if Daddy's selfish girlfriend isn't allowed to join them on their outing. It's as if he's tired of his toy and wants a NEW toy. He should be a man and consider his child first. At least Therese was honest about not wanting a child - honesty has never been Anthony's strong suit.

Ann Q, Edmonton AB

I love that Elizabeth and Anthony are together. The fact is this mirrors real life in some ways. It is true they are starting out on rough ground with the little one, but life isn't always easy and love does take work. Being a team with a common goal is what I see in Elizabeth and Anthony. It is time that Elizabeth settles down and takes time to enjoy the life she has--with Anthony or wherever she may end up but celebrate love. I like the couples that you have created with Michael/Deanna and Anthony/Elizabeth--they are believable. It is true it would be great to see Anthony have a bit more of an adventerous side, but he has taken the path of being a good dad and maybe forgetten to have fun. He does need to set better boundries with Francie, and perhaps Elizabeth can help him. I will continue to thank you for showing us the ups and downs of child rearing, life, break ups and happiness is refreshing.

Amy C, Beaverton Oregon

Kids don't generally go from liking someone at first, and then changing their mind later. When Liz was first introduced to Francine months back during a visit to the park, Francine liked her right away and said to Anthony "Can we keep her?" Usually kids with separated parents feel threatened by any new love interest, so it seems strange that Francine would change her mind so much later.

I look at their relationship in a few ways. I should say up front that I'm not thrilled about the Liz/Anthony pairing, and the way it seems to be headed towards marriage. And Liz will now end up being in a relationship where she is generally second fiddle to a child.

I realize that this cleverly mirrors the experience being faced by many people today. I also think that many women end up having to deal with children from another relationship, not as a first choice, but because they simply don't have that great a choice of men out there. Especially if they are divorced, and looking to meet someone their age. A lot of single guys are single because they like it that way and fear commitment. A guy who was in a relationship before, especially with kids, frequently wants a new relationship. In some cases, not all, the man really needs a woman to help look after his kids. I have seen explicit postings on matchmaking websites where the man states he has full custody of kids, yet he only wants to communicate with women who have no kids, and don't want to have their own kids. Have your cake and eat it!

Liz is still young - her level of choice should be greater. I'm not saying Anthony is a bad guy - he just needs someone in a similar situation to himself. Liz will be the one to make the sacrifices, and have to work on getting Francine to love her. Anthony will only be gaining in their union.

I also get the feeling that Anthony's tendency to jump to anything Francine asks does not bode well for the future. I know that often parents who are divorced try to outdo one another to gain a child's affection. But in the case of Anthony, his wife is not interested in custody, and seems to be not in the picture, so he doesn't have to worry about that.

Importantly for Liz, if Anthony jumps to everything Francine wants, then how in the world could Liz ever discipline her in the future? If she's used to getting her needs immediately met, then Liz will have a difficult time disciplining her. Children do need some level of discipline. For example, in today's cartoon, he could have told Francine to wait 2 minutes. He did not. This could get old really soon for Liz.

Another plot line I'd like to see evolve is the Grandpa/Iris storyline. I realize that some people get miserable with age, but not all. Grandpa was such a great guy. During his illness he has been so difficult to Iris - she's been in tears, and he would take out his frustrations on her. I can't recall a strip where since he was ill that he ever showed any kind of appreciation and love to her. She really goes all out in caring for him. I hope I'm wrong, and I missed that strip, but it seems he's been nothing but grouchy around Iris.

Now, I realize this mirrors the poor experience of care-givers everywhere. So I hope there will be some way that Iris gets the credit and love she deserves.

One thing that is nice about this comic strip is that it really is generating a lot of interest and discussion. That takes talent!

Alanna, San Francisco CA

Hi! I'm a great fan of your comics who happens to care waaaay too much about Elizabeth's love life.

I keep noticing letter upon letter (as well as comments from various characters within the strip) talking about how great Liz is for chosing Anthony, a "nice guy", over all the "bad boys" that she seems to prefer. I have several problems with this.

First of all: Elizabeth does not prefer "bad boys". She's had the misfortune of being romantically involved with some unfaithful partners, but the fact that she had the courage and common sense to leave them and move on proves that she was dealing with these relationships maturely. I also don't understand what people don't like about Warren. True, he's not in the same city 24/7, but that's just part of his job. Also, on several occasions he's voiced his wish for commitment with Liz. The fact is, you don't have to be boring to be nice, and I would love to see Elizabeth end up with somebody who shares her adventurous spirit.

My second concern: Anthony isn't really that nice. Too many people seem to have fallen into the trap of assuming that, just because Anthony is dull and spineless, he must be nice. Yes it's horrible that his wife left him, but that doesn't excuse the emotional infidelity that he harboured throughout his entire marriage-- honestly I can hardly blame Therese for disliking Elizabeth (although the whole situation was far from her fault). At one point, while he was still married, Anthony practically begged Elizabeth to take him back, and she even had to tell him that she wasn't a homewrecker.

The fact that Anthony is spineless, insecure and dull does not automatically make him nice.

I would like to see Elizabeth end up with somebody who:
a) would only marry somebody who they actually love.
b) would treat their partner (be it a girlfriend or a wife) with fidelity and respect.
c) brings out the free spirit that makes Elizabeth who she is.

Yes Elizabeth and Anthony have had a turbulent past that needs to be reconciled, but sometimes moving on is the wisest form of reconciliation.

Rebecca, Vancouver BC

To be read to Miss Francoise:

Dear Francie,
You will always be your daddy's best girl. He just wants a girl his age he can spend time with too. I know you're jealous of Lizardbreath spending time with Daddy so don't worry about it. She also wants to get to know you, and be your friend. Lizardbreath also has a niece and a nephew you can play with sometime if she takes you over to have a play date. Wouldn't that be fun? (Don't let Liz be the one to read it to her ;) )

Lara B, Santa Ana CA