There are lots of things that are scary on Halloween. Jack-o-lanterns, headless horsemen, vampires, etc. What about the new season of television, fifteen more Republican debates (not to mention Herman Cain, Rick Perry and Michele Bachmann), losing Planned Parenthood and funding for the Arts, global warming–those are pretty frightening. What about the World Economy ? Let’s keep it all from the kids.
When Do They Serve The Wine? 
The truth is both brilliant and sad. When I saw this cartoon, I knew it was going to be the predominant image I thought about all day long. I cannot get it out of my head. (So well done, Liza.) The disappointment of the homeowners who want to sell, the disappointment of the realtors who want to make a sale, the disappointment of the kids who want treats, the disappointment of the neighborhood community that wants to be “tight knit” again. But the kids do look “hopeful” that someone might just be on the other side of the door to fulfill their Halloween candy cravings as they ring the doorbell . The kids made the effort to “dress up.” We, as hopeful adults, can make the effort to be there for them!
Karen and Rob,
Thank you so much. As sad as I am that my drawing haunted you, it is a compliment that it stayed with you and had such an impact. I appreciate you taking the time to tell me. These are unsettling times we are living in.
I second that, Karen. I too had this image “haunting” my head all day and
evening long. Bull’s eye and spot-on, Liza! Such a deceptively simple image
that conveys so much. I love George Booth, but this would have made a classic
New Yorker Halloween cover! For the first time in years, we went to our old
neighborhood last night for Halloween, and this was EXACTLY the scenario
we encountered, which really unnerved me — and was “scary”, to say the least.
Rob, I replied to you, with Karen, above. Sorry about that–forgot it would not be at end of comments. Thanks again.
Liza, don’t be sad that your drawing “haunted” : it takes a very good (and subtle)
artist to pull that off, especially in the format of a cartoon. When something lingers
like that, the artist has really nailed it. As we all know, humor is not always haha! —
sometimes it’s just a sly smile, sometimes a smile of recognition with a bit of a wince.