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Like an old country song says, "Life is a Dance you learn as you grow." John and Elly are truely in their growing years in this new beginning. We all grow until we have learned all the lessons we were sent here to learn.

Michael's hugging the house made him look so much like little Linus from Peanuts and it was sooo cute. A puppy on the camping trip would have been too much because he is so young there. We took one of our cats to a kennel many years ago and while it was a good experience, we now get "sitters" for them. Always my favorite strip, both the older ones and the new revisits.

Becky K, Birdsboro, PA, USA

What we have to remember is that 'way back when girls were "taught" to be ladies and get married or be teachers while men were the breadwinners. I grew up in that era and see such a difference in my three (now grown) children, where they don't "conform" to expectations. It was just the way it was in "my day" (do I sound like my mother or what?) and that's why John especially, and Elly are acting that way. I love the strip, it is my first internet stop each morning. Hope Lynn is enjoying her time off.

Geri C, New York, NY, USA

Tiia R, I suspect you are wise far beyond your years--absolutely love your post! Sorry, but I still chuckle at some of the comments. Remember that nobody worried much about being PC when Lynn created these strips--people didn't get offended so easily as today. (And, boy, do I miss that!) As for John's character...personally I will worry if my husband quits looking at pretty women! Maybe John and Elly used the same rule we have for nearly 50 years--fine to look as long as you don't touch. ;-} Their long marriage was still going strong when the strip ended--that can't happen, even in the comics, without humor and tolerance of each other's imperfections.

Judy, CA, USA

Poor Elly and her "empty nest" feeling. She doesn't know what the future holds for her! I contrast her sad face in the last panel to the joy she felt the night that Michael and Deanna had to call her for help with Merrie and Robin! Elly drove off at 1 AM to help them, happily saying, "They need me!"

Rosemary T, Clifton Park, NY, USA

It seems to me that Elly wouldn't have seen the nest empty if she were to have put down that rake and accompanied Mike and Lizzie to where they were headed. Not only is she letting life pass her by because she takes it too seriously, she's sort of dropping the ball, child-protection wise. I know that a lot of people think that I want to abolish childhood or something but I don't; I want the little shavers to live to enjoy it. As for the nest emptying, it's sort of odd to have to remember that she's the one getting kicked out of it twenty-five years or so later when the oldest fledgling returns.

Paul J, Saint John, NB, Canada

Today's is one of my favorite strips. I have that feeling often! I'm disappointed to hear that the new material will be stopping soon. I've been enjoying the expanded strips.And I wanted to tell you that I was rewatching the tv series last night and found it interesting that the word pop is known and used across the lake. Is that universal in Canada, or do you have the regional argument of pop versus soda?

Angela, PA, USA

It's usually "pop" or "a soft drink" in Canada. "Soda" is less common. Another regional difference, eh?

In 1980 I wrote to a young cartoonist, Lynn, thru the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Her Michael was doing everything my son was doing. It kept me sane thinking that this must be "normal". She wrote back a lovely card and it was only then that I realized where she resided. I kept 4 from that time, my favorite dated 1-12-80. It was a time that my son would not take his clean clothes to his room, so I threw them out the window. Mother stress equals temporary insanity. He stood outside in the cold, crying "my tothes, she threw away my tothes". Luckily, little permanent damage was done and it seemed to harden him to be an excellant High School teacher/coach.

Mary P, Melbourne, FL, USA

I'm enjoying reading the retro Patterson comics and am always happy to read any and all Patterson family and pets comics from the very beginning to the present.I'm relieved about the impending health care passage in the states after reading readers comments on here because there is so much misinformation - some of it scary - here. If it's anything like you have there it shoud be all right and also better for everyone.I like the March 13 2004 fbor a lot because it is all about what really matters. I saw it the week after my sister died and sent copies of it around to everyone who loved and was mourning the loss of my sister. I hope fbor continues for a long time. Thank You Lynn !

Beverly F, Salem, MA, USA