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My name is Ranjita and I am 16 years old and have been reading your strip since I was ten years old.I am absolutely a BIG fan and my favorite character is april.I even played April's birthday song on my 16th birthday. I understand if you are in new runs because your strip doesn't appear in our local paper anymore and I have been reading the current strip on your website. hope you are having a happy retiement.

Ranjita V, Adelaide, Australia

Lynn, I just found the new Ned Search. I love that he is now a world traveler! Lucky Ned! Did you take any of those photos in the course of your own travels?

Genoa, MA

Your strip is one of my favorites and I am glad to find you now on line as our paper doesn't carry your strip during the week, only on Sundays.I also shared your strip with my science classes especially the solutions one where the teacher was saturated. Thanks for all the laughs, tears, and joys.

Nadine C, Davis, CA

I read fborfw every day and love it and can relate quite often. I have enjoyed a career as a Radiologic Technologist for many years and I was delighted to see the reference in the April 14 strip. However,I was dismayed to see the antiquated and inaccurate term "technician" used.

Paula Y, Brandon, MS

I love being able to read my favorite comic strip from the beginning. I came in about when April was born, so seeing Michael and Elizabeth as small kids is absolutely wonderful! I look forward every day to my on-line dose of fborfw every morning with my coffee!! Thanks Lynn!

Teddi H, NY

First Thank you Lynn. Second, I was born in 73. I literally grew up with the Pattersons. I am a little sister and identified with Lizzie. Now at 35 I can see myself as one of the adults.

I don't think you have to be a feminist to want to be in a relationship. The concept is not dated. I have many friends who identify themselves in their relationships first and careers second. It isn't anti-feminist to want to be in a relationship. I chose career and wonder if I will meet Mr. Right (Now).

I love the simplicity of the early strips and I enjoy reliving this strip and enjoying the parts it didn't get when I was a kid. Thank you so much for "recycling".

Leigh H, USA

Re: Connie's MRS comment. Someone below stated that even as a successful single woman, she sometimes wishes for a life partner, even though she knows she "shouldn't." I protest the idea that there IS a should or should not at all with regards to a woman's desire for a man in her life.

Feminism is about having the freedom to choose for one's self if they desire a male companion. Successful career women who want their "MRS" are not flying in the face of feminism at all. They are simply expressing a personal desire for something that they as human beings have a right to desire. I personally consider myself a feminist, but wife- and motherhood have always been in my life's plans (as has a career, I might add).

I have not found the right man to be my partner yet, and I sometimes get jealous of other women who have. I often feel that I shouldn't worry so much, given that I'm only twenty-three, but I never feel that I'm going against my feminist beliefs when I dream of a steady partner and a baby in my arms, any more than my best friend is for her plans to have her tubes tied when she has enough money for it. Both of us are exercising our right to make our own choices and plan our own futures.

Elly has regrets about not finishing college. Connie wishes she had a solid, happy marriage. Both of them are exercising their right to regret their choices. A college degree might have helped Elly get a career she found fulfilling. And there is absolutely no reason for Connie to feel ashamed for wishing she had a loving partner to come home to after a hard day's work.

Erin A, Chicago, IL

Frankly, I'm baffled. The last several strips have shown Elly giving Connie a mini-makeover, which is a nice female bonding experience, and Connie discussed how she was having a hard time letting go of Peter. Now, Elly exclaims to John that Connie dyes her hair "because of Peter." Where did that come from? "That rat wouldn't have stayed if she'd had plastic surgery." Again, where is this coming from, and doesn't the fact that Peter seems against artificial beauty enhancement count for him, not against? Is Elly saying that Connie loves a man that never existed, to the point where she dyes her hair in memory of what he "liked" even though he didn't like beauty enhancement? I'm really confused...

Rachel, IL

Lynn, I am a lesbian woman and have been for the past six years. Thank you so much for Lawrence, because I believe he showed your readers the homosexuals are real people, too. We have feelings and needs just like heterosexuals. Thank you for inspring readers with your open-mindedness.

Emma, Western Springs, IL