Mark the Shark (he/him/his)

Until the recent melting, snow had covered all of my solar panels since Thanksgiving, so my energy production has been poor the past 3 weeks. Looks like I won't exceed 2024's energy but will still finish the year producing more energy than we used 9 months of the year. #solarpower #carbonfootprint

My "helpers"

Over the past month I finished the 4 quilt blankets I made for my sisters. All are a plaid pattern in each of my sister's favorite colors. As usual, a lot of love went into making these blankets, and Princess Sparkle & Little Bear were there to "help" me. #sewing #quilting #yorkies #cats #kindness

My youngest daughter stopped by our house while we were out and snapped some pictures of Little Bear and Princess Sparkle, who are both getting in the holiday mood. Hard to believe that we adopted Little Bear four years ago and Sparkle came to us 7 months ago. #yorkies #cats #kindness

This weekend I finished the two quilt blankets I made for my nieces. They have the same patterns but the blocks are arranged differently. As usual, a lot of love went into making these blankets, and Princess Sparkle and Little Bear were there to "help" me. #sewing #quilting #yorkies #cats #kindness

That is awesome! I made a similar one last year.

Finally finished the last of the six quilt tops I'm making for Xmas presents. That gives me little over two months to turn them into blankets. Little Bear is always ready to "help" but Princess Sparkle recently had surgery, so she wasn't in the mood. #sewing #quilting #yorkies #cats #kindness

My wife was gone for a few days on a fun trip with two of my daughters, so I did a sewing project to distract from my loneliness. This is the third of four quilt tops for blankets I'm making for my sisters. As usual, Little Bear and Princess Sparkle "helped" me. #sewing #quilting #yorkies #cats

Due to the recent death of my son, I haven't been on Bluesky or done any sewing projects in three months. This past weekend I started a new sewing project and I found some peace making this quilt top. We have adopted our son's cat, Princess Sparkle, who likes to "help". #sewing #quilting #cats

Wisconsin voters disappointed me last November but I'm glad they woke up to see the threat to our democracy is real, despite Musk's blatant attempt to subverting fair voting.

It was a rainy day, so I finally finished up the top of the chartreuse plaid quilt blanket I'm making for one of my sisters while Little Bear napped. Late in the afternoon, went to see the movie Locked with some of my kids, niece and nephew. #sewing #quilting #kindness #Yorkie #Family

Today I made some progress on the chartreuse plaid quilt blanket I'm making for one of my sisters (8 of 16 blocks completed). Late in the afternoon, my wife and I & Little Bear drove Madison to visit my youngest daughter and son-in-law. Got to wear my new cap! #sewing #quilting #kindness #Yorkie

Last night my wife was out with friends so I started my next quilt blanket (a chartreuse plaid for one of my sisters). Little Bear stared at me sadly for a while, then I set up a spot for her near me, and then finally she made me stop sewing. Made some progress. #sewing #quilting #kindness #Yorkie

I was taking a short break from sewing but, once I heard Joanne's was closing, I went shopping for my next 4 projects (stood in line for 3 hours). I just finished cutting the pieces for the quilt blankets I'm making for my 4 sisters (hopefully will look like plaid). #sewing #quilting #kindness

Good girl, Sparkle. ❤️

Had a very fun birthday weekend as all the kids came home. Saturday we played some board games,Jackbox, and watched some movies. Sunday was more games, a very fun session of family DND, and then off to the movie theater to see The Monkey. The weekend activities wore out Little Bear. #Family #DND

I finally finished the tops for the quilts I'm making for two of my nieces. They are made of the same fabrics but arranged slightly differently (didn't want to make them identical). My wife was not home so Little Bear hung around me and "helped". #sewing #quilting #kindness #DogsofBluesky #Yorkie

She's a yorkie and, yes, incredibly cute.

It's very sad how only 80 years later America is facing a very similar fascism that was voted into power.

Can't wait to see new Captain America movie this weekend!

While I was sewing today, Little Bear was on sentry duty (barking at every dog or human that walked by) while soaking up the sun and laying by the heat vent. A nice way to spend a cold Wisconsin day. Later in the day, she fell asleep while we had our family videocall. #DogsofBluesky #dogs #yorkies

I had a great day today as my wife & I had a nice videocall with the kids and spent a good part of the day getting the sashing done on my current quilt project. Next up will be the border, but I may not get to that for a couple of weeks. Stay tuned. #sewing #quilting #kindness

Short week at work as I was in Florida for three days. There are terrible people still trying to destroy our democracy, so we have to help the vulnerable. Today I completed the final two sets of 4 blocks for my next quilt project. Next up will be the sashing and borders. #sewing #quilting #kindness

It was a challenging day to stay positive but there are always bright spots (my wife and kids). I also spent time at the sewing machine, completing the 3rd set of 4 blocks for my next quilt project and also helping my daughter's roommate make a quilt for their niece. #sewing #quilting #kindness

It was a long busy week at work in addition to all the horrible shit that Trump & his MAGA cronies are doing, so I spent my Friday evening at home sewing. I completed the 2nd set of 4 blocks for my next quilt project (there will be 5 sets of 4 blocks when done). #sewing #quilting #kindness

We can't make America the best it can be with hate, cruelty & outrage directed at some of our own citizens. I don't know if our Country will ever be great for all of our citizens, but I believe we can only move towards improvement for all by more of us choosing a better set of values. #kindness

My wife and I don't have any grandchildren yet but we do have a handful of grandpets thanks to our four wonderful kids. Meet Peaches & Peanut, Oogi, Alice and Princess Sparkle. During the course of my life, I have found dogs and cats to be preferable to most people. #dogs #cats #grandpets #beagles

Him was good boi. ❤️

Started a new quilt blanket today after almost a month away. I'm using 20 different batik colors, which my daughter helped me divide into 5 sets of 4 colors. Each set will make four blocks (below is the first set. There will be a lot of blues, green and teals in this project. #sewing #quilting

When my wife isn't home or is busy doing something around the house, then our yorkie Little Bear will come lay by me. Otherwise, she only has eyes for her Momma. #DogsofBluesky #dogs #yorkies