I recently stumbled across this Gary Larson Far Side comic. The caption reads: "Dear Henry, Where were you? We waited and waited and finally decided that..."

In the background you can see a space shuttle taking off.

I had this comic in my own comic collection when I used to clip them from the daily and Sunday papers and keep them in a binder.  It was the time of print newspaper, before you could Pin It or post on your timeline or simply right click the image to copy to your computer.    

With this cartoon, I remember being totally mesmerized by the idea of someone actually being abandoned on the moon.  I mean, he would actually have to live there. For me, the cartoon begged the question, Would fellow astronauts actually leave their comrade behind in space?  (I was young). Then I wondered about the astronaut himself, Would he be lonely? Would he be scared?  Those thoughts kept me lost in the picture for a long time for what it showed, and what it didn't show. What would I do if I were "Henry?"  

I wonder affectionately now if I somehow channeled Gary Larson when creating Prissy On The Moon. Not the story itself, but the layout.  I was very specific with my vision of the moon scene.  Even now with my husband's drawing, I'm transfixed my the imagery.  I'm lost in that dark black and white world of emptiness, wondering about Prissy, Won't she be scared? Won't she miss her family?  

I hadn't seen this cartoon for more than twenty years.  That old binder of cartoons long decomposed by now.   

But as I think about it, was Gary Larson my secret muse?

It's certainly fun to think about. And interesting to reach back into the recess of my mind and subconscious and to see how the things that captivated me then influence me now.

What's your inspiration? Have you come full circle to your childhood hopes and dreams?