Rattie goes to ValleyCon 31 - PREVIEW

Ahhhhh....Breathe in that fresh, crisp fall air! Yep, it's October, and autumn is in full swing here in North Dakota. And that can only mean one thing...VALLEYCON! As an old geek/nerd, I have been attending the fest for over half of its existence (it's the 31st year, this year...)

What does this have to do with Rattie? Well, for his final weekend visiting us, I thought it would be a lot of fun to take him with me and my friend Karen and I attend the convention. We'll show him around, introduce him to people, and take photos.

Today, I tried to convince my night-working boyfriend Christopher to take him to Bonanzaville to show him a fun time, but I think they ended up taking a nap together on the couch. Men!!

Stay tuned...there will be a report this weekend from the convention!

Rattie's Adventures in Fargo - Area Icons

This week, Rattie visited some area icons, including the Fargo Theatre.










He also crossed the new Main Avenue bridge, and had his picture taken at the central prominade, as seen in the picture above, on the right...

Rattie's Adventures in Fargo - DAY FOUR

Tonight, for a special treat, we had a bedtime story. We read "The Mouse & His Child", by Russell Hoban...

Rattie's Adventures in Fargo - DAY ONE

Today we decided to show Rattie some highlights of Fargo/Moorhead.

Here we see Rattie (where IS Rattie - can you spot him?) by the brand new Main Avenue bridge that connects Fargo and Moorhead, and goes over the Red River of the North.

Rattie bumped into Stuart Mouse, and they decided to hang out for awhile.

In the background, you can see a small part of the Red River. It's a very important part of our local culture.



Next, we went over to Viking Park, to visit the Hjemkmost Center.

Rattie poses here climbing a tree in front of the Stave church.





These are the magnificant hand-carved doors of the Stave itself; it is an exact replica of the Hopperstad Stave in Norway, built by a local craftsman who also did all the hand-carvings and paintings in the interior.


When all the sight-seeing was done, we all retired to the local coffee shop for a well-deserved libation.






Until tomorrow...

...Sweet Dreams, Rattie!

Beatrice says hello to Rattie

Beatrice giving her new friend, Rattie, a welcome to my home snuggle/cuddle/hug.

Regina Welcomes Rattie

Regina gives her new friend, Rattie, a welcome to my home kiss.

Jones'ing for Soda Labels

Vote for Mabel Mouse

Vote for Regina Rat

Vote for Humphrey Hamster

"I Am Not An Animal!"

This week, the Sundance Channel will be premiering a BBC comedy called I Am Not An Animal. I haven't seen an episode yet, but it promises* to be a satirical look at both sides of the lab animal issue. I think it's worth a look...

The show has an official website here.

* Link includes video clips of the show, which includes a mouse character named Claire...

Cute

This is obviously not a picture of a mouse, or rat, or a hamster. But it is cute, you must admit.

OK, I'm a bit biased. This is one of my three grandsons. His name is Mu'min. His new kitty is named Blade. Eva (my daughter) told me that Meran* (my son-in-law, and Mu'min's father), named him that after seeing the vampire movie Blade. I still have to get Meran to explain to me what it is about the cat that makes him relate to vampires. Maybe it's those eyes?!

* Despite what the link says about Meran, he is home now. He got home in May, after two years working Iraq. His plans are in the air a bit, but he's scouting for business opportunities; in the meantime he's dabbling in some business with relatives...

"...a creature of great personal valour"

For the Mouse (Mus) prevails in the Latin.
For Edi-mus, bibi-mus, vivi-mus -- ore-mus.
For the Mouse is a creature of great personal valour.
For -- this is a true case --
Cat takes female mouse from the company of male --
male mouse will not depart,
but stands threatening and daring.
For this is as much as to challenge,
if you will let her go, I will engage you*,
as prodigious a creature as you are.
For the Mouse is of an hospitable disposition.

--- Christopher Smart, from Jubilate Agno

* I can vouch for this personally having observed mice standing up to my cat when he hunted, several times. This, I must make clear, was years ago, I was a child, and my cat lived in a rural setting. This was just how it was. He and I were friends, and I tagged along sometimes when he hunted. I did not interfere...