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Congratulations to CS from Louisiana who is our print winner for this month. Thanks to everyone who contributed - please continue sending your submissions in, and we'll choose another winner next month!

I've noticed a lot of people being critical about how men are portrayed in the "new-run" strips. While I think some of the observations are valid, I'd like to tell you guys, AS a guy, that you need to lighten up! It's a strip told from a female point of view, and some of the complaints Elly makes are common ones that women have regarding men. We men have just as many common complaints about women, and we tell them to each other all the time.

Humor is meant to be taken as "humor." If we take offense at everything, then NOTHING is funny. Even the jokes we still tell in our circle of friends in the privacy of our homes.

Scot C, Hopedale, MA, USA

So it's April's 18th birthday today.

Go now, Apes. Escape before you get sucked into the "marry your high school sweetheart and settle down to crank out kids in the same boring town you grew up in so Mom can constantly meddle in your life" black hole that's already claimed your siblings.

Now. I mean it. Get out while you still can, and don't look back. Oh, and bring your guitar. Or better yet, buy an electric so you can play in a real band.

Chris P, Boston MA

I've followed your storyline for years and it has always seemed to touch a place in my life. The serious times, the fun times, the weirdness of family life. I'm over 50, so I guess that is why I relate to the strip. I heard you wanted to retire because you feel that you can't contribute to the younger, computerized generation. Retire if your life direction takes you that way, but not because you think you are "outdated". The experiences of women our age continues on and enrich the young ones coming along. They need to see our life, and through our eyes. And we (the older ladies) need your voice, too. My sister's divorce was just completed. He served her papers on her 49th birthday, March 15, last year. I just sent her your March 15, 2009 strip to remind her how important she really is to her family. Thank you for your insight.

CS, Louisiana

A little Lemon Peel or Essential Oil will keep home-made Play Dough from smellng bad.

Anna M, Winnipeg

Once again, Lynn just "isn't doing it right" when it comes to depicting the "dynamics" between Elly and John.

Can you imagine what we would have been left with if Victor Fleming, Michael Curtiz and James Cameron had listened to their'strident'� fans??

1. Scarlett would have Rhett renovating and remodelling Tara,

2. Ilsa Lund would be running 'Rick's American Bar',

3. Rose would shove Calvin right over the Taffrail and dog-paddle Jack to the Azores.

Anna M, Winnipeg

I forgot how much of a handful Mike was those days of long ago! Haha.
Makes me glad I don't have kids, even though I know the reward can be great sometimes!

Meg, Maine

I'm going to have to add my voice to the chorus that wishes we knew more about what happened after the wedding; it's not just that it happens to be April's 18th birthday that makes me wish it, though. Elly, you see, has a brand-new grandchild to welcome into the world soon and I'd like to see how she'd be handling it. I'd also love to see how they all coped with Francoise's fears that she was about to be displaced. Would they try their best to reassure her that she wasn't expected to give everything up or simply assume that she knew and let things fester like they did to April during the Great Shuffle?

Paul J, Saint John NB