Ratfest 2022

Cathy and I hosted another Ratfest, the first in 10 years.

It was really nice to see everyone.

A few people I haven't seen in 10 years.

I can't believe we did this for the first time 20 years ago.

Where the hell did time go.

Our major accomplishment was getting Jane to join, and I'm so glad she did.

All seven cats were sequestered in the cat room, and they were miserable and pissed off and wanted everyone to know it.

I embellished the sign mark printed out, for emphasis:

The Magic Ratfest Box got an update to account for 20 years.

Group photo:

I did the cake again.

By Saturday evening I was completely peopled-out.

I knew I would be.

My preference was to leave Sunday morning but due to train schedules and then Jane, it is a late-afternoon trip.

But I am at my people limit.

That doesn't mean I don't like them, but I have been away from home since Thursday and i have lost a lot of energy.

I can get through tomorrow though.

Cactus Monday: Train Edition

This past weekend was Ratfest. I thought of you, Cactuteers, on the train home. So I made this Cactus-tree on the train with my awesome travel watercolor set.

Watercolor 4 x 6



HCM!

............
Speaking of Ratfest, it was very fun again this year. Portraits were very much in demand, and i was able to recover the costs of the trip and then some. I also did the cake again, of course.

Some portraits and the cake:



Water-soluable graphite, 9 x 12



These are all done in oil pastel 9 x 12:

AED.15

Today's offering is a cake. Tomorrow I am having a very small party for Daya's third (!) birthday. Have been cleaning and running errands. There is a lot left to do. I am very tired. The big question is whether to drink a few cups of tea and keep plugging on or get a little sleep now and wake up at oh-god-thirty in the morning.

Caffeine will most probably win. And since Daya is always up early I'll have to wake up at oh-god-thirty whether I want to or not.

So anyhow I just finished Daya's cake. Here it is- more fun with fondant. I bought the Dora image at the cake and baking supply store on 22nd street. If you've never been there you HAVE to go it's so awesome. In fact you should come to NYC just to go there.





I also made a huge mess in my kitchen, and of course I do not feel like cleaning it. Any volunteers would be greatly appreciated. In fact, if you come over right now and clean my kitchen I will make out with you for real.

Ratfest 2007

I used to keep pet rats. I miss them. Six years ago, I teamed up with another rat owner in the region and together we started the NorthEast Ratfest, where a bunch of rat people gather for the weekend and have a lot of fun. The last 2 years I missed ratfest, but I co-hosted again this year and as always we had a blast. I did portraits this year and managed to cover te costs of the trip. Seeing everyone again was so wonderful. Spending a weekend with wacky people you've known for a long time and love a lot is always a blessing.

I call this Rat Butt Font:



Here I am doing portraits:



And here is the cake I made: