Last month, I wrote a column offering tips on buying a car. It was intended to be funny but Jeni Keyser did not laugh much:

"... Since my significant other and friends are car salesmen, you did them a disservice! He is always pleasant to his customers, as are others. ... Annoy the salesmen with your kids! How low of you. No decent parent would do that. Car salesmen usually try their best to please the customers wishes.

"You owe almost all car salesmen an apology."

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In July, I wrote a column in which I said fascination with the Internet is causing many of us to neglect our neighbors. Judy Carrino begged to differ:

"The time I spend at my computer in no way diminishes the relationship I have with my neighbors. Our neighborhood has a very active women's group which meets once a month to attend local cultural events, museums, restaurants or just to socialize. ...

"Both my neighbors and my computer add considerably to the enjoyment of my life. I think there is room for both."

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Last month, I lamented the loss of traditional summer vacations that year-round schools bring. Anne Fortier said I was overemphasizing that argument:

"... You at The N&O seem focused on those who want nice long summers with their children. End of argument for opposing year-round. Well, I can tell you there are many reasons families like ours do not want year-round. Here is a sample:

[She listed seven reasons, such as having families and friends on different schedules and fostering flight to private schools.]

"... I wonder why The N&O consistently quotes parents who oppose year-round because they won't be able to use their beach house (la dee dah) when really it is the regular folk like us who have valid and reasonable concerns."