I'm becoming quite fond of this extended-family strip; it seems to touch all the bases - humor, sweet and sardonic, real-life crises, minor catastrophes, small triumphs (rarely), sibling rivalry and friendship, awkward romance and a host of other family craziness. Through it all, Val remains a committed and often befuddled single mother, determined to do right by her children even if it kills her - or them. In this collection, next-door-neighbor's 14-year-old nephew Andy comes to live with him, but Andy and Joan (Val's sister) decide to go ahead with their wedding anyway. ( )