« Tuesday July 8, 2008 | Main | Tuesday July 22, 2008 »

Hahaha, I love today's strip. I have an irrational soft spot for adoption-style stuff (I say irrational because I'm not adopted and don't really know anyone who is), but seeing Elizabeth get nagged like that really WAS a sign of things settling into "family mode" and gave me a big heap of warm fuzzies.

I'm always thrilled to see new strips, but I love looking at the old ones too--it's amazing how different the art style has become! They both have their charms though, and I enjoy seeing the contrast.

I'm looking forward to whatever is coming... I hope we see Gordon at the wedding! He and Lawrence were always my favourite secondary characters.

Julia S-J, Montreal CA

FBOFW has been one of my favorite strips for years, but the new art style kind of pushes me away.

While I like how the strip goes back to the stories of earlier years of the characters, the art that goes with it is a disappointment to me. I just cannot get as involved in the looser style.

I'll try to get used to the new/old art, but it is not the same.

Jonathan W, Boulder CO

Everyday I look forward to reading my daily dose of FBorFW.I love all the different story lines but being the gushy romantic that I am I am truly enjoying the upcoming marriage of Elizabeth and Anthony. I hope that you will continue their story line after they get married. It would be wonderful to read about their life as parents just as it is fun to read about Mike and Dee. Thanks so much for writing this strip. I love it!!!

Dee Portland OR

The recent wedding story has rung so many bells for me. My husband and I just celebrated our marriage and there were so many similarities. Perhaps the most poignant was trying desperately to hold the wedding while his grandmother was still alive to see it. Unfortunately we didn't make it, and while reading your strip a week later did bring me to tears, in an odd way it was also somehow healing. Thank you.

Serena S, Eureka CA

No...more..wedding..crud....please..kill...Anthony....

Anonymous

Maybe it would have been better if Anthony and Therese had not divorced. Maybe Anthony should not have come on so suddenly to Liz with his confession of love, and maybe it was even a hint of infidelity on his part. Maybe Liz's parents made a bad choice by pushing a married man on her. Maybe April is emotionally neglected.

But, know what? Humans are full of mistakes and bad choices and hurtful words. We do the wrong thing even when we want so much to do what's right. We hurt each other and, thusly, ourselves.

What we have to do is not lose heart, but make the best we can with where we find ourselves, no matter how we got there. If you went on a hike into the Grand Canyon without salty snacks and realized it halfway through, you could moan and slam your head on the rocky wall OR you could realize, "I made a dumb mistake. Instead of beating myself and others up, what can I do to ammend this?" And then find a solution.

Because when it comes down to it, it's cliche but true, everyone makes mistakes. :)

Rachel, Illinois

I'm really appalled at all these negative posts on Liz's fiancé Anthony.

He is such an honest nice young man. He cares about Liz,(ever since day one when they first dated) He has a good job and helped Gordon build his business, Has nice baby daughter who he has soul custody, He owns a house awhich he has made improvements on with his woodworking skills. What exactly is bad about all of this???

If Liz were my daughter I would be so pleased.

Hasn't anyone read the older strips when she met Anthony and they were growing up? Well I have and if the rest of you have not I recommend that you buy one of Lynn's earlier published books of her comic strip.

I'm looking forward to their marriage. I want to see Liz as a step mother, their wedding....not to mention other things like April going to college and possibly becoming a vet

Keep up the good work Lynn. I'm behind you a 101%

Mitch, Washington DC

Liz looks so beautiful in all her presentations. Couldn't Anthony be a little more of a "hunk"? He has never been portrayed in a goodlooking way - especially when he had the moustache.

Vivian M, USA

I've been reading FB/FW for years - really. I often felt that the Patterson's and company were people I knew. I loved Farley and even though he was an incredibly old dog, I cried when he died, as if he were a real dog, one of mine.

Thank you, thank you for putting Liz and Anthony together in the end. It was such fun watching them "grow up."

The only thing I don't love is reading days on end of re-runs of very early strips. I know you have your reasons, but a day or two at a time is plenty for me.

Yours is the last strip I read most days - saving the best for last.

Kath M, Washington

Lovely, wonderful scenes with Anthony, Liz and Frannie. I like seeing him show a sense of humor in here comes the bribe. Funny -- and love seeing him get dizzified after swinging Frannie around.
It's good to see that side of him. He's happy and lighthearted -- and Liz is showing that as well.
They'll be a good family together.

Mary Louise, Iowa

I'm dissapointed (but, unfortunately, not surprised), that Francie's role in the wedding is a mere flower girl.
It would have been a nice touch for her to have been the ring bearer or to walk her father down the aisle as a way to make her feel included in (and accepting of) the creation of the new Patterson-Caine family.
Isn't Robin a little bit young to be trusted with the rings, anyway? He would be much better off as a flower girl escort.

Amber S, Dallas TX

With the upcoming wedding of elizabeth, I compliment you on how beautifully she is drawn, a tear comes to my eyes we I see her.I occasionally read the comics and I remember watching the easter special when I was a little girl. Another big moment for your strip, congrats!

Maria, Riverside CA

I remember from My wedding all the hard work and everyone having their say! Thanks for Sharing Liz's Prep time with us! It brings back Fun (if not Funny) Memories!

CJ, Texas

A beautiful strip that does a great job with life. I"ve been a comic-freak for almost 80 years - FBOFW is one of the best.

Sam L, Cordova TN

Lynn: Thank you so much for such a terrific comic strip. I love the empathy you have for so many varied characters and situations, and the insight you continue to share through your strips. I enjoy the flash-backs, but to be truthful, one of the things that attracted me to your strip is not only the story lines but also the manner in which you draw the strip and the way your wonderful staff fills in the beautiful art you give them. You are not only a great story teller, but a truly an artist at heart! My kudos to the entire group. Your synergy is terrific!!!

Carol McQ, Las Vegas

My mom first introduced me to your comics. In your comics real life situations and problems seem humorous and not the end of the world. Though, when I look back in my lifetime they don't seem so humorous! For me, it shows that life is a gift and easily can be taken away. Unlike some people, I do not have many comparable problems or family members. However I still enjoy the comics as much as someone who for example has gone through the situations. Viewing an average family's life is like a guide to life! I mean you didn't have to show a fat cat or a missed behaved boy to hook me on your books!

Thanks A Lot =)

Shelby B

I have followed your story for some time and enjoy the innocence and love of the Patterson family. They seem to live in a much simpler world then the rest of us.

Barbara Z, Warren Michigan

Can't wait for Liz and Anthony's wedding.

Arlene, Clearwater FL

I remember when FBOFW debuted in our local newspaper - nearly 30 years ago. I am truly saddened this wonderful strip will soon be ending.
Thank you for ALL of these years of laughing, smirking, shaking of my head and crying. I wish you the very best in your next endeavor! And again, THANK YOU!!!

Janet, Princeton NJ