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Hi Lynn --

No donuts for me, thank you, but please pass the cream. (stir, stir). Thanks.

Like other readers/writers here I too am an Iris Fan. I too would like to see her travel to be with her family, and have a little break from caring for Jim on a daily basis. She could always call while she's away.

I read Mr. Astor's January 20th article with interest. I would respectfully ask that you do n ot change "young Ellie's" characteristics. I really do enjoy all of your drawing style, story lines and character personalities. I think Mr. Schultz smiles down upon you (and the Team!) from Heaven, Lynn. I guess the best thing to do is listen to him; not me. But I really doubt he'd have changed Charley Brown's nose in any way, nor [would he have] accommodated an 'improved' sleep site for Snoopy.

I'll be quiet now and just continue reading, Lynn. Good coffee; thanks!

Steve K
Sarasota, FL., USA

I've enjoyed the strip for many years- my oldest is just the age of April. This is the first time I have written to any comic. I take care of my elderly mother and I think that Ellie is not doing much at all to help Iris with Jim and give her a break.
She doesn't have the Lilliput any more and April is in high school, so why not?

Jill G, Los Angeles CA

Hi Lynn, Just wanted to say how much I enjoy your comic strip. "The Age" newspaper in Melbourne carries your strip and I have been following it since I was 11. I am now 33.
Best wishes,

Sally B, Melbourne Australia

Hello,
The first thing I do every morning is read the paper. And the first thing I read in the paper is FBorFW. I have been worried about losing this routine. I was relieved, yet apprehensive, about the hybrid plans, but it has been ok, especially since you have continued to have new material. The new stories, especially about Iris, Jim, Liz and April, have all been great. I suppose it would be interesting to see how you rework some of the old stories, but the thought of giving people larger noses, because it is funnier, seems to disrespect the story.... I don't read for this a laugh; it is all about the story and characters, for me at least!
I understand and respect your desire to have some time off and eventually retire! But you are blessed (and cursed) with having created characters that have taken on a life of their own -- characters that many, many people care about. Freezing them without a future seems -- pardon the pun! -- to be very cold indeed, both to the readers and the Pattersons themselves. I think many of us will feel that the Pattersons' lives are continuing, but that the readers have lost the ability to learn about those lives. Crazy thoughts really, that their lives continue in some parallel universe that we can't access, but that is what happens when "soap operas" and comic strips take on a life of their own.

I hope that using old strips will free up lots of personal r&r time for you, and that there will be new stories in the future years. Maybe you would consider FBorFW novels with lots of illustrations -- perhaps less work at the drawing board .... While I love FBorFW, it is the story that I love the most.

I have never written to you before, so I would like to end by commenting on the Iris and Jim storyline. My father's situation was similar to Jim in his final years. However, he occaisionally, but rarely, had a moment where he said something that indicated he connected, however briefly, with all of us. Could you please give Iris the satisfaction of knowing that he knows she is there and loves her, instead of just showing the thoughts in his head? Surely she deserves to know that he has some recognition of her devotion and love.
Thank you for creating FBorFW!

Marge K, Saskatchewan

Hi Lynn and family,
I start every day with your comic strip. This past week's topic started my day with tears instead of a little laughter. With 5 grown children of my own, 5 grandchildren (to date) and an elderly parent, I feel as if we are sharing many life experiences. Your "comic" strip should be mandatory reading for high school young adults. It is full of truisms of a loving family. Recently our family suffered a great loss when our family's business of 38 years burned to the ground. It has been a life changing experience. I have more time to enjoy the 'toons in the morning over my tea and ponder the goodness of life. Your strip is food for the soul. God bless.

Lydia S, Binghamton NY

I first discovered FBorFW back in the early 80's when my children were 3 and newborn. Through the years, I have identified with Elly so much-and bought every book as it came out. I haven't looked at the oldest ones in a while and it now occurs to me that my daughter, who is now a young wife and mother,(our perfect grand-daughter is 20 months!) could identify just as well with these older books when Michael & Elizabeth were very young. I'm bringing them all to her when we go to visit them next weekend. I can't wait for her to start enjoying them as I did!

Janice C, Odessa TX

Dear Lynne,
The article in this weeks Minneapolis newspaper about your hybrid strips was the occasion for my visiting your web site, where I found that the raising of a comic requires one mother hen and a whole list of subordinate chicks.Delightful! I just want to thank you for so many years of delight. There isn't a day that goes by without my starting it with your family. I appreciate your humor,your wordplay, and your creativity. There isn't much on the comics page that grabs my attention anymore, save for your strip. Please know that you may have done many things in your life to make it an outstanding one, but that your creation of and continuation of this strip is one of the best. Thank you from the bottom of my heart from one of your most loyal fans.

Marian R, Minneapolis

Hi,
I'm originally from South Dakota, USA and a lifelong Canadophile. I filled out papers to be a landed immigrant one time not too long ago, but chickened out. In 1979 I was a senior in dental school and my mother began sending me FBOFW and I've been a dedicated fan ever since. My only complaint is that when I see how the kids have grown it makes me feel sooo old...You're a gem, keep on for all of us out here, and who knows? Maybe I'll be reading you from PEI someday!

Anne O, Arkansas

I have been a fan of the strips for years. It mirrors my own family. FBORFW is my home page for the browser.

With my wife, I am now caring for my severely demented mother. While stroke (particularly at age 37 - my heart and sympathy goes to that person and her carer) is not the same as dementia, there are parallels. We are going through a particularly bad patch in the last couple of days, and my wife isn't coping. The recent strips with April, Iris and Jim are very apt and poignant.
Keep writing Lynn

John S, Sunshine Coast Qld, Australia

Comics often teach an universal truth with brevity. Your recent strip'observation "This isn't about the ring I wear on my finger dear...It's the love I have in my heart" is a principle we could all strive to manifest.

Jim D, Los Angeles

The strip today about Iris putting Jim's 1st wife's photo at his bedside to comfort him really brought tears to my eyes. She demonsrates true love. Not only are we dealing with elderly parents of our own, but also i am a hospice nurse -- so i see poignant situations frequently. Your strips reflect reality in such a moving way -- in all the positives / negatives/ and uncertainties of life. Please do not change anything. I have read you for years, and marveled at how often what you write about has corresponded with what's going on in OUR lives, too. Thank you for keeping us laughing, crying, and seeing ourselves reflected.

Kathy R, Chicago IL