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I don't think John or Elly are actually unhappy with their lot, or with the cards Life has dealt them. No matter how "Great" your job may be, you'll have days when you wish you were on a tramp steamer headed for Bora Bora. And no matter how devoted you are to your Spouse or Children, there WILL be days when the life of a Zen Monk or Cloistered Nun seems awfully appealing!

I guess the "secret to Happiness" is to take these same days in stride, and try to shruf them off, not becoming like one of those who (as Poet E.J. Pratt so succinctly puts it) "...Soured by the sun, complain/of all their maufactured woes,/Yet never felt an honest pain."

Which reminds me-- Elly showed a genuine gift for poetry when she composed some touching verses about her own reactions to Motherhood -- (and the attendant sleep deprivation!) Whatever became of it?

Anna M, Winnipeg

I do not care for the interweaving of old strips with the new ones. If you don't wish to continue writing new strips, then get it over with. Finish the story line and then go to the reruns.

Lindy B, Alaska

I know today's comic is from the early days of the strip but I cannot help but think of my husband and friends from work. Anytime we are out for happy hour or for dinner they want to talk shop.

Jana, Palm Harbor, FL

Oh, so April isn't allowed to tell her mother that she needs a minute to finish her typing, but Mike can get away with IGNORING HIS OWN DAUGHTER for the sake of his Great Canadian Novel?

Mike needs to face the fact that he IS a father as well as a writer, and he needs to learn to multi-task if for no other reason than to CARE ENOUGH ABOUT HIS OWN CHILDREN TO PAY ATTENTION TO THEM!

Have I gotten through to you? Do you get my meaning yet? Mike can darned well take a break in writing to answer his daughter's questions or at LEAST have the decency to tell her, "Honey, Daddy really needs to concentrate on this." Maybe he can set an alarm clock and when it goes off, he'll have things wrapped up and they can talk, or SOMETHING to show he isn't the world's biggest JERK.

Then again, Mike is the idiot who considered saving his laptop as a higher priority that seeing to the certain safety of his family. And of course, Elly dotes on him so naturally she will see nothing wrong with what he does, but she's quick to find fault when April does it!

He can darn well learn to write despite distractions. The rest of us did.

Truman F, Georgia

To all those who think Liz looks just fine, I say COME ON! Go to the Strip Fix for January 3, 2005 and then take a look at the March 3 2008 and tell me she hasn't turned into a dumpy frump! She is only 27 years old and she looks like a Mini-Me of Elly.

Melissa, San Jose CA

As a writer and soon-to-be father, I'm glad for the May 4 strip, because -- like most times we see Mike at work -- it demonstrates clearly What Not To Do. Ignoring your five-year-old child to such an extent is just moronic. I've been in the zone many times while writing, but never to the point where a close family member could be asking a question of me and I'd just squinch my face up and keep on typing. I definitely won't do that with my daughter, even if I'm really into my work at the time. This incident wasn't quite at the level of rush-back-into-the-burning-house-for-the-laptop foolishness we've seen from Mike, but come on ... whatever delicate work of genius he's tickita-tapping could be put on hold long enough to listen to his first-born and tell her no, you can't have a cookie, but we can have one together when I'm done.

I hope Dee, at least, gave Mike a good talking-to this time off camera ... but then again, I doubt it.

Chris P, Boston MA

When I see Lynne sitting across the table from Ellie, this is what I notice: Lynne has a gorgeous smile full of big white teeth, while Ellie's open mouth is a big black void. I can only conclude that either John is a really bad dentist, or Lynne does not draw teeth (at least in her major characters - many minor ones have been distinguished by their odd teeth). What do you say? Don't Ellie, April and Elizabeth deserve nice teeth???

Alice J, Los Angeles

I can't believe Michael's insensitivity to his own child in today's (Sunday's) strip. What a jerk! He reminds me of my husband when our children were little. Work was everything, there was never any extra attention to give them, and he only pretended to hear them, as Michael did with Meredith today. But I LOVE the trick she played on him! She knew he wasn't listening, so she asked for something outrageous and got it! Smart little girl. I bet Deanna will have something to say to Michael about it, though!

Carolyn R, Andover MA

I finally visited the website for the first time today to see if there was an explanation why there have been so many "reruns" of older strips. I understand the need to take time off and that there have been changes in Lynn's life; but I am very disappionted in seeing old material used as "new". I find this not only annoying; but a lazy way of providing material (like watching a rerun of a movie where you already know the ending). I (and my family) have enjoyed the strip for many years and I am thrilled with a strip where the characters progress and actually age. It's been a pleasure growing up with Michael, Elizabeth and April - unlike the "stuck in time" Family Circus and Blondie series where things never change. I applaud Lynne for being creative and allowing us to share her "family"; but I would rather see the strip come to an end with all of the story lines complete, then to see a rerun of an old strip that I read many years ago.

Chip, Florida

Throughout the years, I have save a few comic strips that related exactly to my family. Since you are doing flash backs, I could see Elly reminiscing with her family about various memories; Liz furious with Michael when he laughed over her beginner bra, so she put rocks in his jock strap and threw them up on the electric wires outside. I still laugh over these to this day because it paralleled the crazy things that happened in my family so much. I choked up with the comic strips where Michael's friend Gordon settled into his apartment with all the old decrepit furniture, and how the Patterson family rallied around Gordon in multiple ways. I cried when April lost her rabbit, named Mr B.
Thank you for this delightful comic strip! I hope it continues for many years to come.

Karin G, Lansing MI

I, like most others here, am a huge fan. I have reading reading the strip since its inception and have all the collection books. My year is not complete without a fbfw calendar on my fridge. I think where the story line has been going lately is just right. Keep up the fabulous work, Lynn and all the best to you and your team.

Debbie R, Port Hope ON

Ever since I was able to read I have been a "comics" fan. Of all the ones I have followed over the past 70 years,FBOFW is the most realistic,human,funny,spot on strip ever created..Thank you Lynn

Virginia C, originally N.Y.now Everett,Wa

Great strip today. Can't remember how many times I was absorbed insomething and only giving partial hearing to a child's incessant begging, whining, constant repeated questions and inadvertantly said "Yes" to the wrong thing, with some unique results. For example, "Can kids make KoolAid?" "Yes" What a mess I had to clean up - kids and kitchen.

Marsha, Reno NV

Today's comic with the child talking to dad while he's on the computer hit the nail on the head for us! My children have know that is the best time to "ask dad". Any chance you'll follow that strip up with mom heated and talking to dad "still on the computer" and of course no response for at least 5min or until she leaves the room in a humph; then he is quickly to follow with apologies? Yes, that would finish our situation.

Latiula "T" S, SC

Oh, man! Sunday strip (5.4.2008) I instantly made my laptop background! The best part is, I was taking a break from my short story to read the strip! It's just so funny, I love writing-themed strips!! And Merrie's face..."Wow! My dad is cooler than I thought!" Love it, love it, love it. Thank you. Can't wait to share with my family!!

Rachel G, Illinois

I have loved FBOFW for years, and I was so excited for the Liz/Anthony story line. I just wanted to comment on the Liz-wedding, John-retiring comments: Not every wedding needs to be Cinderella affair, it just needs to be about family, friends and a celebration of the couple. "Liz" should checkout offbeatbride.com. Such a great example of every kind of wedding you can imagine and a lot of love.

Nicky, Seattle

I've been reading FBorFW for a while, and I've been to your site before, but I just noticed that many of your strips are animated--eyes blink, people move, etc. How cool! And the great thing is that they seem to be done in a way that contributes to the scene that you've drawn! Thanks!

Darin M, California

Reading your comic is the first thing I do every day when I turn on the computer. I like following the current stories but I also enjoy the visits to the past. I've been married 28 years and feel like most people who read your strip, that you are family. The older strips remind me of events that occurred in our lives when those strips were current. What house we lived in, which baby was born...thanks for the memories

Anita A, Ontario

I just wanted to let you know I think the way you've inserted the older strips with the new ones is wonderful! I didn't get to read the old ones the first time around and I really enjoy seeing them now. The Pattersons are by far my favorite comic strip characters. Keep up the great work!

Suzanna S, KS

I'm so surprised by the number of commments on the apparel of the women in FBorFW. I must be as out of the fashion loop as the Patterson women, because except for one instance where I noticed how cute April looked in her school uniform, I don't pay much attention to their clothes. Maybe Lynn isn't fashion conscious either, or maybe she can't spend the time embellishing Ellie and the girls. Regardless of her style sense, I still want to have coffee with Ellie every morning!

Sharon O, Minnesota

The one thing I am finding interesting in looking back a the old strips is how and why did John remain pretty much the same and Ellie's nose grew so big? The female nose grows bigger with age?

Stew F, NYC

Like so many others, I have been reading FB or FW since it's inception. I have saved strips that related to me or the family for years now, at first cutting them out of the paper, to saving them on my computer! I cried when Farley passed, and cheered with each new triumph in the children's lives. When Elly started her book shop I challenged myself to try something new too. (I never regreted it either) Thanks for giving an ordinary family the spotlight!!

Sharon D, Jackson MI

Todays feature of the child in the dental chair was right on! I worked as a chairside assistant for 20 years and parents were OUR worst fear. They all meant well, but just didn't say the right things. Thankfully times are changing........this generation has been better educated on matters such as this than ours was.

Nancy F, Illinois

Maybe John and Elly really should "accidentally" have another Baby. Between Guest Appearances on Talk Shows, sale of the Movie rights to their story, and Product Endorsements ("All-New! ACME Combination Denture Cushions ans Teething Rings!") --they'd never, ever have to worry about being "Careful Careful" with their money!

And I'm loving the "Fashion" discussions..... But can you imagine saying to Emily Carr, "LOVELY Totem Pole paintings, My Dear -- but if only you'd lose 40 pounds, and stop schlepping around in a smock and hairnet....."

Anna M, Winnipeg

I agree with Belinda M from Brisbane; this strip is about the lives of people who could be real people next door, with all the usual faults and admirable qualities you find in people everywhere. Enjoy the story for what it is. Laugh at the jokes (I love the terrible puns, by the way)feel the sadness of loss and disappointment, and then get on with your real life!

And Lynn, it is the only strip I ever read. I've read it since day 1 when it was started in the Melbourne "Age" newspaper. It is just like having a window to watch a real family. But I do realise it is a story. Thanks for being one of the best modern storytellers ever, you're number 1 in my book.

Caroline P, Melbourne Australia

1) Elly can't get pregnant again, she's too old.

2) April has another year of HIgh School left.

3) Elly and Liz dress like frumps.

4) Bun-hairdo's are for frumps.

5) Anthony is a manipulative creep.

Joe, Michigan

Thanks for the "reminder" Lynn. Sure, John might make good money, but dentistry can be aggravating work, as we can see from the "flashback" strip.

No wonder he's retiring so young.

Dianne H, Langley BC

been reading your strip since i was a teen. grew up with the pattersons.

Leo P, Blauvelt NY

Lynn, we have gone through the last 30 years together and I thank you. When Elizabeth wanted her ears pierced, my Elizabeth (6 years old) was begging too. When Michael hung out in his first car, my Paul was hanging out in our brand new Pontiac. (He was 15, his friend 16, with a learners permit.) McDonald's parking lot is where you hang. When the passion for your animals showed in the strip, my eldest bought her own dog. After all when you are 21 you can make your own decisions, even if you are still living at home. My husband, who had never had a pet, cried when Maggie was shipped to B.C. six months after my daughter moved there to nurse. Maggie, who left us for doggie heaven, (Hey maybe she knows Farley,) was trained for pet therapy and helped a lot of stroke patients.

Most of all as the family went through the leavings and returning, the old dying and they grandchildren coming, we were going through these things about the same time. Now in "Semi-Retirement," we are also looking at down sizing and working in the community. Our children grew up with parents that where there, now in this great big country there are so many thirty somethings who have no one. Grandma may be in another country or B.C. We are Grandparents to two wonderful families, 'til the family returns to the other end of the country. We feel so special to be included in these lives. (Kind of like Michael's friends.)

In closing this Roast, I pass on one remark that makes you want to get out there and make a new life; It comes from a 35 year old friend of my son. His parents both died when he was in his twenties. My son and the "gang" go to the lake to open up the country place in spring and close it in fall. One time when Paul was being picked up his friend said to me, "I would give all this stuff back just to have my parents."

If you are open to new friendships, you can meet a lot of 20-30-40 year olds that are really great. Have a good semi-retirement. We are the mentors of the future.

Helen T, Toronto, now Montreal

Enjoyed your strips about retirement. My husband and I are at that time in our lives also, and have talked about it and around it a lot. It's a big step, and I like the fact that John and Elly are still going to work a bit. We plan to also. It helps to keep a person in touch and our thoughts young. I do disagree with their plans to pay for Liz's wedding. She's at an age where she is working and on her own and whoever she ends up with (not Anthony, please) will be working also. They can afford to pay for their own wedding and should do so. Don't know about Canada, but if April is looking a Vet school, she presumably has good grades and is in the top 10% of her class, and should be eligible for scholarships and financial aid. That type of thing would ease the budget. Working at a university, I know that not all parents pay for their children's entire education. There are plenty of students who work parttime to at least pay their rent, food and general living expenses.

Marsha, Reno NV

My first thought on John's careful, careful line was that he was referring to their health. My husband and I mirror John and Elly and as we are in the countdown to retirement, 2 yrs away, our main concern is to stay healthly. Financially with what expenses we know to expect, kids weddings, grandchildren, vacations, we will be fine, but it is the unknown that is the scariest part, especially when it comes to your health.

Liz, Vancouver Island BC

Is John going to have a retirement party? Then I hope I am invited?

Tara, California