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I. like countless others, eagerly await each day's strip. I have every FBorFW book, and have read each perhaps a dozen times. I have one request: Elly is looking SO old lately; if I'm correct she's not yet 60. I don't think she needs to have surgery, but since "60 is the new 40," or something like that, couldn't she maybe dress a little differently, not like she's trying to be a kid, but not so much like an old matron. And the eye and neck wrinkles - can't they develop a little more slowly? There are all sorts of products she can use that may help. You can probably tell this hits a little close to home. I love the strip; this is just a little observation.

Helen, Grand Blanc, Michigan

Spot On (as they say in NZ)!! The last two days comments about aging have been so right on the money and delightfully sprinkled with humor. When did we get to be old? There truly is something surreal about the whole process.

Marie S, Keller TX

I have sent in comments before about Liz and Anthony, and I still feel the same way: They should NOT marry! Liz deserves better! However, my current question is about Elly. Boy, has she aged the past few years! I know she is getting older, and the way your characters have aged in the strip is one thing I have loved about it and one thing that has kept me reading through the years.

I like the way your art has changed and the characters are drawn much more three-dimensionally (mayb e that's the word), to match their growth and changes. But Elly looks more like a great-grandma than a modern suburban grandmother. She has never been a beautiful woman, and that's okay; but I just am curious as to why she has become so dowdy-looking lately. Her nose has gotten bigger every year. That said, I'm not her creator, nor am I the one drawing her (nor could I be).

I hope you sort of reconsider not letting anyone age any further. I want to see the children grow up, April live her life, Grandpa Jim be released from the situation he is in, Elizabeth find happines with SOME OTHER MAN, and Elly and John continue their adventures. Please, pretty please? Thanks for taking my comments.

Karen H, Snellville,Georgia, USA

I have been a fan of FBoFW for many years; I had written about my daughters' births coinciding with the births of Mike & Dee's children. To recap, I became pregnant after 17 years of marriage at the same time Merrie was born. When I became pregnant again, I actually used the fact that Mike & Dee were pregnant again to tell my husband!

Anyway, I mentioned that my second daughter's first name is Elizabeth, which is a small nod to the strip. What I didn't know until today (1/4/08) was Elizabeth Patterson's middle name was Deborah. Deborah is the name of my FIRST daughter!!!

I just thought you would find this interesting. Goodness knows I do! Also, keep on doing the wonderful work you do; I don't even mind the "flashbacks".

Karen F, Manchester, New Hampshire, USA

Let me get this straight. Elly Patterson is happily married, retired at 55 and can do whatever she chooses to do, lives in a house all paid for, has three healthy children who are doing well and has grandchildren living just down the street from her; all things that anyone would be happy to have.

But all this woman can do is whine about how old she is (at 55?! consider the alternative, woman!) and how bad she looks. At what point is Elly going to pull her head out of her colon and realize how FORTUNATE she is?

Maybe if she wouldn't continue to stuff her face with food at every turn (eats grease-dripping burgers the size of DINNER PLATES, for instance!) then she wouldn't have half the weight problems she moans about. If she got involved with others she wouldn't spend so much time obsessing over herself. Maybe a positive outlook would HELP her appearance; you think? Instead, all she's done for the past twenty years is complain about her appearance. Yeah, if you wear nothing but a frown you're going to look a lot worse in the mirror.

Sometimes I think Elly WANTS to complain. All she has to do is look at her father to realize she's HEALTHY, she's not NEARLY as burdened by age as she thinks, and she's darned lucky to be where she is.

She's a spoiled brat at 55.

Truman F, Georgia

I love FBOFW. The characters are believable and, unlike many "humourous" sitcoms or comics, doesn't demean any characters for its humour.

You can't believe how bizarre it is to be sweltering in 40+ degree C (104 deg.F) heat, reading about characters on the other side of the world where it's snowing.

It'd be nice to feel cold again...

Keep up the good work. I look forward to my daily fix of Elly, John and family.

Cheers,

Leonie, Australia

Dear Lynn,
I'm a young fourteen year old girl who loves your strip. I love April's character, but I just don't understand why she just doesn't dump Gerald. I want them to stay together, but why drag something out that isn't going to last? There have been alot of hints about the end of their relationship, and I think it should just be done and over with, unless it isn't going to happen at all, which is unlikely.
Anyway, I love the strip. Keep up the good work!

Becky B, Braeside ON

I just love FBOFW. I can't wait to read it every day. I wish there could be more of it. I will never tire of the wonderful story lines and characters. I especially love Shannon, Ellie, and the pets.

Best, Theresa M., 3rd Grade Teacher

Grandpa Jim is one of my favourite characters, especially the close interaction he's always had with April. I think Iris has a tough role, but I don't think she would ever abandon Jim or feel that it's really Elly's job. She married Jim because she loved him, and she still does.
Thanks for everything, Lynn...you make me proud to be Canadian!

Anne B, Charlottetown PEI

What's with Elly seemingly having "distanced" herself from Jim and Iris? Ellie's own kids are grown, she has plenty of free time, and the really Richards apparently live nearby. I'm not "dumping" on Ellie -- a lot of people, even those raised in stable and loving homes, find it really hard to face an aged and frail parent in obviously failing health.

Does Ellie, I wonder, ever have "guilt feelings" about avoiding Jim? Does she solace herself with the thought that he's well looked after for? Or does she simply prefer not to dwell on his plight m at all?

This might be an an interesting avenue to explore. Many, many people today are finding themselves in Elly's situation: and just as Therese's non-involvement in Motherhood does not necessarily make her an "Evil" person, their own decisions not to participate directly in "Elder Care" does not mean they are themselves "bad" people....

Anna M, "Winterpeg" Manitoba