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Lynn, it's a bit late for April Fool's Day, so I'm awaiting an explanation for today's comic (4/14). The comic where supposed feminist Connie laments how her life is soooo meaningless because she's not married, to be specific. Sure, she has a child, a degree, a career - but she doesn't have a MAN! Oh no! We must all feel sorry for her and pity her sad, single existence.

Frankly, I'm disgusted. This kind of belief about marriage was already outdated when your strip began. Feminism still has a long way to go, but nakedly asserting that women need a wedding to feel validated has been right out for a long, long time. I'm very sad to see you still promoting it.

Em, BC

I was flabbergasted by Tuesday's comic; not only by Connie's "Mrs" comment, but by Elly's insistence that, since she didn't graduate, her years at college are worth "nothing." It doesn't matter whether you have a piece of paper at the end of it, but how you learn, grow, and develop at school. Did Elly not discover an author she likes, or learn a piece of history that helped her understand the world around her? Did she never succeed on a test or learn something fascinating about current events? Education isn't just the letter behind your name; it's what you carry in your head afterwards.

Kate C, Federal Way, WA

In today's strip, Elly says "I have nothing to show for the years I spent in school." This website gives slightly conflicting versions of Elly's education. But shouldn't we rely on the strip itself for the "true" story? In September of 2007, Mike began telling Merry the Patterson story, beginning with how John & Elly met in college. On September 2nd, he explained: "Dad had only a couple more years to go before he graduated and Mom was only in first year. After a few months, Mom left school and started working so they could save some money." So it appears that Elly left college during the first year. By referring to her years spent in school, she seems to say that even high school was a waste. I'm Ms Johnston's age. In my youth, I remember making fun of the girls who went to college to get their "MRS" degrees. How unsettling to see these attitudes in one of the new strips created to fully explain the story of the Pattersons.

KM, Houston, TX

I love your new pics for the Ned Search Contest. While I am looking for Ned, it is fun to dream about visiting the different places. I was surprised to not see Mexico, especially since you talk about how you enjoy visiting there. Maybe some day you will add a picture from there. Keep up the great work. I am enjoying the older strips very much.

Lise C, Lakevill-West, NB