Linda, I understand being at the end of one's rope but to arrive there as a result of your child sucking a plastic cup to his face is just kind of frightening.

Monica, California

As I keep saying, observing that Elly is overwhelmed by life isn't exactly a negative comment. She was designed that way, after all, so as to resonate with other mothers who felt as if they were getting it from all sides.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

Maybe Maggie of BC wouldn't leave her daughter for a weekend but don't you think Lynn is entitled to a weekend away from mothering? Certainly it is good for her and the children are resilient, they bounce right back pretty quickly.

Geri C NYC

When my girls were young we lived in south Texas. They badgered me for a pet and I gave in to a goldfish. They loved it for awhile but stupidly I put the bowl up on the window sill (in the middle of a hot summer!) Needless to say, the goldfish basically simmered to death.

Pat H

Oh my that Phill is certainly a pill! He needs a women's touch in that apartment of his with the odd ball vedgetarians and their strange food. Surely there is a nice girl that he grew up with that he can settle down to. We can all pray that he realizes this and finds that nice girl and settles down with her and raises a family so that he can finely be happy. After all her hard work Ellie desserves a happy brother not a strange pill who lives with decrepid odd balls. And he is allso a role model for the children he needs to remember that! What kind of example is he being with no wife or family and living in that manner. Oh well we are all praying for you PHil!

Joan in Peoria

Lynn, I get you. I totally understand the want and need to play music and spend weekends with "artsy" people. We need those outlets to express ourselves! Sometimes it's okay to take a weekend!!!

Dawn A

I'm stunned at the number and frequency of negative comments about Elly. It's like people keep forgetting that comic strips exist to provide entertainment, and Elly's role in the strip as the straight man.

Lillian O.

Replace "Aaronism" with just plain "Kidism!" Today's strip is a mirror image of BOTH my kids' attitude towards baths-there's "play baths" and there's "scrub baths," and I have to be VERY specific about informing them that they are supposed to SCRUB, otherwise both my daughters will play in there long after the water gets cold and not touch the soap at all! My four-year-old (five in March) is pretty good about getting clean when she's bathing on her own, but when she shares a bath with her big sister (she'll be ten this July), all bets are pretty much out the window unless I lay down the bath law first! Fortunately, my older daughter is starting to remember that being clean is a VERY good thing, and things are looking up!

Amanda, Maryland, USA

Ah, yes, play baths. My mom and I had a deal. As one of a family of seven sharing a single bathroom, if I took short "washing" baths all week, she'd let me loll in the tub for up to an hour on Sunday afternoon. BLISS!!

Karen, Alberta

I'm going to add a post-script to my suggestion a few days back. Let's get Kate and Aaron in on the podcast videos as well... After reading about the "Aaronism" in the 2/28/2012 strip, I think it would be great reading/viewing to hear from the kids about their experiences.

Jim Inman, Jr

Sorry, Paul, but the way I see it, you've never been a Mom at the end of your rope. Sunday's strip, and all similar strips, make me laugh and laugh as I see myself and my Mom friends being "mommerly" at those times when you wish you could be single again for just one day (and missing the kids after 30 minutes of being there!)

Linda, Florida

I find some of Lynn's comments really strange. I would never leave my daughter alone for a whole weeekend just to hang out with musicians. Maybe this is why in one of her books he refers to her as Lynn and not mom. Just my two cents'worth ......

Maggie BC

Seems to me that Mike has it wrong in Sunday's strip. The problem is actually that Elly always assumes the absolute worst of those around her. John might make oafish blatherings about hormones but I think that she just doesn't have it in her to be happy with her lot in life. People are born like that and I thank you for reminding us of that.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

I love Jim Inman's recent suggestion about the podcasts, that Lynn and her brother Alan could discuss the stories behind his avatar Phil's appearances in the strip. If Lynn and Alan agree to do this, I think it would be fun if they also addressed questions submitted by readers.

Katje B, Albany, NY

My daughter and her husband bought three goldfish when they were first married. Fast forward ten years later and we find that two of the fish are still alive! They are quite large, blind and look decrepit. While my son-in-law is tired of the work it takes to care for them, the fish just live on and on and on.

Diane Siracusa - Hollister, MO

Hi Coffee Talkers! I have had troubles with the computer for a long time but my son came over and plugged it back in and now it is working like a charm again. I missed all the "beans" you all spill every day and of course all of the new old funnies of the wonderfull Patersons I have so much to catch up on! Thank you so much Lynne for all your wonderfull funnies over the years and your drawrings that are so nice and sweet and the wondefull people you made up the Pattersons! I have missed you all so much I am getting a little teery eyed right now! Of joy of course!

Joan in Peoria

I remember joining an organic food co-op, way back in the 1970's...a group of us would prepare and fill the boxes with healthy food. Afterwards, we'd stand around outside having coffee and cigarettes...how dumb was that!?

Lu Fraser, Sidney, BC

Regarding Lynn's notes for the 24 February, 2012 strip: if the story is true (Alan's roommates coming back from the grocery store with nothing but carrots), then they were no ordinary vegetarians. I am a vegan and my diet is not lacking in variety. Vegan or vegetarian does not mean "carrotarian," for heaven's sake. I suspect that if this is really a story that Alan told Lynn, he was pulling her leg. On the other hand, Lynn may be pulling our legs.

Katje B, Albany, NY

It seems to me that a professional musician like Phil would already know to write something his older sister can sing along to but chooses not to . This tells me that the reason that Elly said what she said was to be a condescending jerk who thinks that he's throwing his life away chasing a dream when he should live a boring life that he hates (just like she does) because that's what people are 'supposed' to do.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

Your strip regarding the vegetarian take-over of the communal fridge made me think about the food that my husband and I consume. Between the pesticides and herbicides, GMO, hormones, antibiotics and weird hybridization of just about everything, most edible items sold at the grocery store donÂ’t seem safe for human consumption. In addition to the worrisome issues mentioned above, almost everything, including organic meat and produce, are wrapped in plastic which has been deemed a health problem; even the better-for-you sea salt has been contaminated by the pollutants in our oceans. Shopping for food ainÂ’t all that fun anymore!

Diane Siracusa - Hollister, MO

Stephanie's comment about Ellie's reaction to Phil's music misses the point. Of course it's insulting. The point was that she didn't understand it and her remark underscored her ignorance.

DannyJane

I suppose if I wanted to ask if you were ever going to write a bio about Georgia, you'd not see the point of it.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

I generally don't write in, but I felt compelled to after today's strip. What Elly said to Phil is not only insulting to him, but it is insulting to jazz musicians everywhere. Instrumental jazz is not meant to be sung along to, it's not meant to be danced to. It's meant to be listened to and enjoyed. "Kind of Blue" is considered to be one of the greatest albums of all time. It's not music that you sing along to, it's simply meant to be taken in. If the strip is meant to display Elly's ignorance towards jazz, then it is successful. Otherwise, it's just an insult to Phil and what he does - and apparently does well, if he's able to make a living off of it.

Stephanie, Baltimore, MD

I had to laugh at Phil's apartment "layout" because it was so similar to my first solo apartment in the way of living room furnishings! The living room furnishings consisted of the following: A computer desk (part of the bedroom set I had), a "papa-san" chair, a "sofa" that was actually an extra-long twin bed with large throw pillows as the "arm/back rests," an end table that was actually a large wooden spool I'd sanded and repainted, and the box my computer monitor came in served as my coffee table until my idiot ex-boyfriend planted his big feet on it one time too many and smashed it in (that was when I bought a real one). Weird, but it worked.

Amanda, Maryland, USA

I have to disagree with those who claim Elly's comment shows her ignorance of jazz. Some jazz is really great, but some of it really is just "discordant noise". Jazz isn't for everyone, but not liking it doesn't make Elly ignorant. It just means her tastes are different than her brother's. Wow, Georgia plays flute. So do I! (or at least I used to. It's been a while....)

Jan C, Henderson, NV

Dear Lynn Johnston, In your Lynn's Notes for the comic strip published Monday, February 20, 2012; you wrote that your brother, Alan, moved from your home in Dundas to Hamilton and then eventually moved to Stratford, Ontario. Back in your Lynn's Notes for the comic strip published Tuesday August 16, 2011; you wrote "After living in my garage for more than a year, my brother, Alan got a job with the Stratford Festival Theatre and moved to Stratford, Ontario." Those notes gave me the impression your brother moved directly from your house to Stratford. How long did your brother live in Hamilton before he moved to Stratford? Was Stratford or Hamilton his home with the vegetarian roommates? Did he meet his future wife, who became Georgia in your comic strip, in Stratford or Hamilton?

Paul S. Oro Valley, Arizona

Dear Paul, When I wrote the story, I based it loosely on my brother's comings & goings and I couldn't remember exactly when he moved to Hamilton or when he moved to Stratford, so I just made stuff up. It was in Hamilton that his roomies filled the fridge with carrots. He later got the job with the Festival Theatre and moved to Stratford. This info if from Alan personally who filled me in when I started to write the Lynn's Notes. In the end, what does it really matter - who moved where or when? It was a story!! ~ LJ Any chance we'll get to meet Lynn's brother (the inspiration for Phil) in the next season of podcasts? It would be great to be a fly on the wall and hear the two of them talk about the "old days" like we're seeing now. I love the new reruns of the strip, by the way. I have read them in books, but getting the one-piece-at-a-time option is much different. So glad to have the strips running again! Thanks to all of you!

Jim Inman, Jr

Hi Jim! No plans to interview Alan yet, but that's a great idea! We'll see what we can do. I laughed out loud at Phil's apartment. It reminded me so much of a housewarming we went to a few years back. Joe was in his early twenties and it was his first house. He, too was a musician, and aside from a mattress on the floor and a few folding chairs in the living room, his house was all musical instruments, amplifiers and recording equipment. He had even soundproofed one room for a recording studio.

Jan C, Henderson, NV

I have to wonder why John was reluctant to get a toy plane for Mike -- given the boy dressed up as a WWII pilot for Halloween, you'd think it would simply come across as a rather thoughtful gift.

Molly S, Nova Scotia

I have read this cartoon strip for many years and always enjoy and appreciated how you have communicated the complicated interactions of humans. As an animal lover I have enjoyed your strips that have focused on the love and simplicity of our pets. When I became a nurse working with seniors in 2005 I was touched at how well you told the story of grandpa and his stroke and how he and his beloved Iris handled the very difficult circumstances they faced. I became a Nurse Practitioner this summer and am now working with the First Nations community in the north of Vancouver Island. Again, I appreciate the love and care you took in writing the strips about Elizabeth's trip up north as a teacher. Your strips are not only sweet and thoughtful they are also wonderful ways to teach and educate others. Thanks to you and your team for doing what you do.

Sara Mitchell-Banks MN-ANP (F)

Well, it's a good thing for Phil that Elly is sort of naive and stupid. Otherwise, he'd have never gotten away with trying to pass off the smell of pot as that of something that doesn't have a smell at all.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

Lynn, in your notes for today's (February 20, 2012) strip, you write, "In the strip, 'Phil' only moved once and I never specified to where." But doesn't he move back to Montreal later on?

Katje B, Albany, NY

Hi Katje! This story line closely followed Lynn's experience with her brother moving to Ontario. She is simply saying here that she combined all of Alan's moves, at the time, into one move for Phil. ~ K

Oh my goodness...I switch jobs a year and a half ago and can't keep up with FBorFW daily like I used to. I have a lot of For Better or For Worseing to do!

Ryan, Seattle Wa

Paul S is so right. I can't tell you how many times someone on GoComics will be "surprised at the 29-year-old attitudes in a modern-day strip". Almost invariably, someone else will reply that there are no new strips, but a few days later, that same person will make the same "surprised" comment. Enough to make one cringe sometimes.

Jan C, Henderson, NV

Regarding Paul Jones's comment yesterday. I'm 84 and one advantage of old age is my memory is not up to snuff. As a result, I have many many "Senior Moments" and as a result the strip is always new to me. Old Timers -- take note and be optimistic!

Bill Borgers Sr. Laguna Beach Ca.

Just wondering who won the Love Struck contest....

Geri Cee

Hi Geri! We will be drawing the winners tomorrow! While not the same as a mother watching out for her children, I used to "babysit" my sister after school. Our father worked nights as a police officer, so he would sleep from 9am-5pm, or so. My sister, who is six years younger than I, would come home about 40 minutes after I would get off my bus. Occasionally we would hear strange noises as we would play outside (we lived in the country, so seeing cars drive by wasn't too common). We would usually make a game of it - run and hide in the trees, find hiding places in the barn, or just run in the house and head to the basement. The hay was the best - we would have bales stacked ten high, and who knows how many wide. We could climb around, find little nooks to "disappear," and have a lot of fun. Thanks for bringing back the memories, Lynn!

Jim Inman, Jr

Your comments regarding Monday's strip about the noises in the night are something I can empathize with. After 14 moves in 14 years (no, we're NOT in the military!), I'm at the point where the first night we're in a strange place, I don't sleep at all! There's just something about the unfamiliar noises that keeps my mind on edge the first night or two, and I don't sleep a wink as a result. We've now been in the same house for five years, but between that reflex and having young kids (9 and 4) who still wake up sick in the middle of the night every so often, out-of-the-ordinary sounds still put me on alert. I guess I'll be able to get a sound night's sleep once they're both "grown and flown."

Amanda, Maryland, USA

Yesterday's letter reminds me of a problem that I've noticed on comics.com. Said problem is that there are still a largish number of your fans out there who still think that there's new material in the offing and don't want to be told you've retired-retired.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

Happy Valentine's Day, Friends! Hugs for everyone!! I really miss "For Better or For Worse." I will be looking forward and excited to see how you make the change. I did love the family idea and the problems they manage to find themselves in. Just keep the idea of a family with good values. I loved the one in Sunday's comics where John, the dentist kept asking questions and the patient had to make another appointment just to be able to talk! This is a choice comic.

Bonnie Tippey

Did you use your own house floor plan as a model for the Patterson's house in the later strips, or a house you knew, or did you just make that floor plan up?

Pat H

The outside of the Patterson house was based on the house we had in Dundas Ontario, which was one floor and situated on a ravine. The inside of the house was from the house we had in Lynn Lake, which was a split level with two staircases: upstairs, rambling main floor, and a full rec. room/storage area downstairs. I managed this impossible architectural mess until we did our first animated show and a floor plan had to be created for the background artists and animators. This is when we had to try and combine the two images and make it work. We got away with this as long as readers didn't look too closely at the house construction. Thanks for asking! ~ LJ Dear Lynn Johnston, I enjoyed your Lynn's Notes for the comic strip published Sunday, February 12, 2012, which mentioned your longtime family friend Gunther Hildebrandt and his 1983 comic strip conversation with Dr. John Patterson where John said, "Tell me - is there one politician you can trust?" Ironically, there is a Gunter (without an 'h') Hildebrandt who is a Councillor in the current Lynn Lake Town Council. If this modern Councillor Gunter read your comic strip on Sunday about your friend Gunther from 1983, I wonder if he would answer Dr. John Patterson's question about politicians with "Yes, there's one. Me!!"

Paul S. Oro Vally, Arizona

Yes, quite possibly he would..... because he is! ~ LJ

Well, it seems to me that Anne got off relatively easy. After all, she only had to fork over seventy-five dollars for housewares. John, on the other hand, has to be browbeat into thinking that he's an inferior dentist because he's doing bread-and-butter dentistry.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

The odd thing about the spinach quiche strip is that I remember thinking "Wow. So Lynn did a 'Real Men Don't Eat Quiche' joke." back when I first saw it back in the eighties.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

Ha! That was a great punchline from Michael! He's smarter than we realize! Thanks for that one, Lynn.

Lucia

I absolutely LOVED the newsletter and reading about Lynn's trip across Canada and going back to her childhood place where Aaron now lives! My husband google Earth'd it Lynn, and he showed me the big high rise and the view of the ocean where your parent's property and home used to be! Thanks for sharing that. It was interesting and makes me want to take a trip there! Your granddaughter Laura is BEAUTIFUL! Katie did good! She looks very smart and sweet. What a great picture of Lynn & Laura. Thanks again for sharing all of this with us!

Kristin Luttrell, Coronado, CA

I'd like to add my opinion to this whole derogatory remark thing. If I were to say that Elly doesn't seem to be able to laugh or smile much, this isn't a slam against Lynn. What it is is telling the public that Lynn wants to use Elly as a mouthpiece for all the other mothers who feel overwhelmed by the least little thing.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

My mother was a gourmet cook and the variety of food she fed us was amazing. Some meals included hated things like escarole, eggplant and Brussels sprouts. She would put hard-to-eat ingredients in the meat loaf like fresh parsley and bell pepper. I even remember sandwiches with a horrible lunch meat called 'pimento loaf'. A reluctant child was told to, “Eat your food!” There was no getting around it; we ate. Surprisingly, I love most of those palate-challenging foods of my childhood.

Diane Siracusa

I just read Lynn's newsletter in which she talked about her trip across Canada and the bad weather. The photo of Lynn and Laura is priceless! I so loved reading the story and encourage others to get the newsletter in email! Thanks for being there for us, Lynn!

Geri C NYC

Hi Lynn, Today's strip really struck a chord with me. I'm a freelance illustrator who has experience this many times, and received the same response. Of course it's nice to see my work in print but that won't pay the bills and isn't why I went to school. I do a job and I expect to be treated as a professional. Would anyone say that to their doctor or plumber? But artists and writers are expected to accept this. Thanks for venting on behalf of us all. Lynne

Lynne NYC

What's wonderful about the Coffee Talk format is comments are moderated, so any comment felt to be derogatory can be filtered. The questions and statements found here (including critical comments mistakenly perceived by other Coffee Talkers to be derogatory) actually validate the strip and the decades of work put into it. That people are still actively discussing this material created and published 30 years ago is quite remarkable. Good material and talented artists do not need constant praise to confirm their worth. I believe dialogue should be (and is already) well-encouraged.

Monica, California

Today's strip is refrigerator material! My boys are both huge now (ages 20 & 15), and I still get this. Fortunately, they can make their own dinner if it's a "get your own" night. When they were little, there were times when I'd resort to "breakfast food" at dinnertime when I was too tired.

Stephanie G.

I enjoyed watching a talk by a well-known and prolific true crime author that is posted on line in a video. She reminisced about her idea of sending in her very first magazine article and how they would love it and send her a check. Seven years later after many tries she finally did receive a check for $35.00. I was reminded of that when reading FBorFw on the subject of getting something published without being paid. As a fan of both Lynn and that book author, I am "oh so glad" neither of you gave up. : ) Aside from that, I wish those that habitually post derogatory comments about FBorFw would think about why they do that and, hopefully, be a little more appreciative of the hard work involved in doing a daily strip.

Beverly F. New England, USA

My dad was a meat & potato man and, since his mom had been a very good cook, my mom rose to the situation and became an excellent cook. When my dad was out of town, what did we kids want for supper? Canned Franco American spaghetti! (Which tasted much better than the same brand today which was bought out by Campbells. Now it tastes like they just dump in some of their tomato soup.)

Betty, Tucson

Publication is not just for the young. I'm in ACT FOUR - that comes after Third Age, and I write a monthly Alzheimer's column for free for a senior magazine. My 'payment' is knowing that I'm helping others to get thru this disease.

Bettyhere

I write and I am sometimes in my own world as I set a scene before it is written. It might be character formation or one of a zillion other things, but to others it might seem as though I am just wasting time. I think it is the creativity gene ruling.

Geri C NYC

The strip that ran on Saturday, February 4, 2012 seemed to have Mrs. Walsh suggesting that Elly turn her one-week experience of John being away into a regular column (in addition to the one she already does). Wouldn't it have made more sense to suggest a one-time article instead?

Katje B, Albany, NY

Ah, my. Elly never really did get to crack any money out of Mrs Walsh, did she? Too bad she never learned that a verbal contract is worth the paper it's written on. If she had, she could have gotten some money out of the old doll.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

Dear Lynn Johnston, Your cartoons reprinted this week about Elly Patterson's dealings with The Valley Voice, reminded me that you did a weekly cartoon over a year for the real-life paper, The Valley Journal in Dundas, Ontario. Were the cartoons you did for The Valley Journal ever published in a collection?

Paul S. Oro Valley, Arizona

Hi Paul! We did include a handful of these cartoons in Lynn's second treasury,"In The Beginning, There Was Chaos", but previous to that, no, they were never published in a collection.

My wife is a biology professor, and I've enjoyed the few times I went along with her as "faculty spouse". Of course I'd usually only go if the venue was someplace nice (Vancouver BC was the VERY best); trips to (say) Modesto were less appealing!

John Vinson

It seems to me that it would have been a lot more honest of Elly to tell Anne that she didn't want to attend John's convention because she didn't want to wait out all of the boring lectures that go on all hours that he has to attend. After all, not even she can shop and eat that much.

Paul Jones, Saint John, New Brunswick

I am U.S. citizen, and I have known for years that Canada and Cuba have diplomatic relations and that it is possible for Canadians to travel to Cuba. The same thing is true for Mexico. U.S. citizens should NOT attempt to travel to Cuba through Canada or Mexico or any other country. It is not legal. Violators are subject to heavy fines and other penalties. Besides, how are you going to explain that Cuban visa stamp on your passport when you attempt to re-enter the United States? In my opinion, there is nothing in Cuba that is worth the legal risk that a U.S. citzen takes if he attempts to go there.

John, Scottsdale, AZ

Lynn (or Katie), why is wendsday's (2/1) strip in black and white and not in color like it always is everyday on this website and in the newspapers? I also noticed the same thing a few months ago when a certain strip wasn't in color!

Chris, Roanoke, VA USA

Hi Chris - Steph here, holding down the fort for Katie. When we're finished creating the strips at the studio, they're still in black and white. We send them to Lynn's syndicate, where the strips are coloured and sent to newspapers. Universal Uclick then "pushes" these coloured strips back to our web server, where they appear on our Strip Fix page. Sometimes the file transfer fails, and because of this I make sure we have black and white strips already in place as backups in case the colour ones don't arrive. This way at least there's a strip available to look at, even if it's not coloured. Univeral Uclick is aware of the issue. I just love Lynn's portrayal of babies. So often a baby is just drawn sleeping or gazing at nothing. Not FBorFW babies! Every panel with a baby depicts the infant in some pose or movement or expression that looks completely natural. I especially love the 'lights the whole face' smile when they look at their mommy! Just another indication of Lynn's talent

Philippa

Welcome back Katie. God blessed you with an easy going gal. Try not to let your parents and brother from spoiling her too much.

Rene Lake Charles, LA USA