Adventure
Richard “Dick” Proenneke and the One Man’s Wilderness Journals
Today On the Dogwatch it is a tremendous pleasure to be able to talk with John Branson, who was a longtime friend of Richard “Dick” Proenneke, and the one who edited and published his journals over five volumes. John lives in Alaska just a five-minute walk from the Lake Clark visitor center for the National Park Service. The…
Read MoreA MIRROR Made in the USA?
When my brother packed up Uncle George’s WWI signal mirror in its archival biscuit tin and took it to Chicago, I knew that I wanted to make a new set of mirrors. Just having George’s mirror in my hand, feeling its gravity and smooth surface, and seeing its beautiful patina was inspiring. The object is…
Read MoreThe Origin of the Dogwatch Signal Mirror, and the Inheritance from Uncle George
The Cookie Tin and Signal Mirror. My dad brought the original signal mirror to a family gathering in an old cookie tin. Given what was inside, it is not surprising that the tin looked like it had been through a war. It was April, 2022, and Dad said he would bring the papers and photographs…
Read MoreEp. 65. On Parachutes and Paratroopers, with James Fenelon
There are a lot of ways of getting around in the natural world, from hiking to canoeing to biking to swimming. Parachuting is one that few of us have experience with, but is an important historical and current mode of travel. Fortunately, we have interviewed someone for the On the Dogwatch podcast someone who has…
Read MoreEp. 64: Inside of a Dog, with Alexandra Horowitz
Alexandra Horowitz is a cognitive scientist who teaches courses like canine cognition and animal behavior at Barnard College in New York. She’s also an acclaimed author, and a sampling of her books include The Year of the Dog, Our Dogs Ourselves, The Year of the Puppy, and Inside of a dog. Suffice it to say…
Read MoreEp 63: The Old Man and the Sea, with Mark Cirino
Is The Old Man and the Sea a great adventure book? Why is it so revered? Does it belong in the Dogwatch Library? Today we have the great fortune to talk with Mark Cirino to help us answer these questions. Mark is the host of One True Podcast, along with Michael VonCanon, which is a show that considers Hemingway’s great…
Read MoreEp 61: Everything Rope, with Knot and Rope Supply
Hello, thank you for joining us today On the Dogwatch, where we consider the natural world and the things that help us experience it. I am Michael Canfield, it is currently 10:37 on the Forenoon Watch, and this is Episode 61. We are back from a break on the podcast and have prepared some exciting…
Read MoreEp 12: Lochby, Makers of the Ultimate Waxed Cotton Field Journal
On this episode of the Dogwatch we visit with Chris Elfering, the creator of the Lochby company, which creates fine notebooks and accessories from waxed canvas and fountain pen friendly paper. These are incredible implements for keeping a planner, field notes, and journal sketches. The Watch Wallet and Tool Roll are great companions to the Field Journal.…
Read MoreWhat is a Dogwatch, Anyway? dogwatch, n.
dogwatch, n. Nautical. A short watch of two hours’ duration instead of the usual four, from 4.00–6.00 p.m. or 6.00–8.00 p.m., that enables the turn of the night watch to be changed every twenty-four hours From 1657 We espied four and thirty ships more, under a Convoye, all coming from Brasil in the first of…
Read MoreEp 57: Screen Printing Selvedge Bandanas
A bandana is a useful item. It can serve as a napkin, rag, bandage, drain plug, motorcycle repair tool, headwear, blindfold, flag, mask, pouch, or a stylish scarf. But not all bandanas are created equal. Many to most are stiff, paisley-printed and inked with plastisol to create a cheap and ultimately unsatisfying object. Today On…
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