On the Dogwatch

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68. To Read Moby Dick, with Mark Cirino Sep 22, 2026

Show notes

Mark Cirino, our guest for this episode of On the Dogwatch, claims that Herman Melville’s Moby Dick is the greatest work of the imagination of any American. Ever. That’s the hot take for you, and if you have an object of artistic expression that is your favorite, or you think is the best of all time, this is your opportunity to hold it up against Moby Dick and make your own assessment.

Mark is Professor of English and Department Chair of English at the University of Evansville. Mark previously joined the podcast to discuss Ernest Hemingway’s The Old Man and the Sea, and today returns to help us consider the adventures of Ishmael, Ahab, and the White Whale. To keep up the image of an English professor–especially because we can’t see his pipe and tweed jacket–Mark starts with teaching us a new vocabulary word: synecdochically. In this mini-lesson, Mark helps us understand a user-friendly way to get into a book like Moby Dick by taking one piece, in this case a single chapter, and to use that as a device to understand the whole.

In our conversation, we discuss different ways of getting into Moby Dick, how the text has new things for even those who have read it many times, the value in simply reading or listening to the book and getting what you can for the first time. The insight of the fact that each of the 135 chapters is only a page or two, and the value of taking one or two chapters at a time and considering it rather than seeing it as a narrative you read through directly.

67. Richard "Dick" Proenneke, and the One Man's Wilderness Journals Oct 27, 2024

Show notes

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 region is known for its incredible natural beauty, and as the home of Dick Proenneke, a man who moved to Alaska and eventually decided to build a cabin by hand and live by himself in the wilderness there.

In our conversation, we talk about how John met Proenneke, who Proenneke was as a person, and how he became known. We also hear stories of what it was like to be on the trail with Proenneke, his self discipline and dedication to his journals, and what we might learn from him.

A passage from Proenneke’s journal can help frame the scene. On July 10, 1978, Proenneke wrote:

“We left our gear on his beach and went scouting for raft logs close to where we hoped to cross. Luck was with us, a good blow down tree and a few dead ones still standing. I would chop out some raft logs while John got supper. The blow down still some what green and heavy. I doubted it would carry much load. I dropped a good solid dead one to go with it. By the time he called “soups on” I had the logs ready for the beach. A good meal…”

From: Branson, John, More Readings from One Man’s Wilderness: The Journals of Richard L. Proenneke 1974-1980. US Dept. of Interior.

66. Meet LCDR Ike, Ship Dog on the USS Wasp Oct 01, 2024

Show notes

When Lieutenant Commander Ike boards the USS Wasp, the lead amphibious assault ship in the U.S. Navy, people notice.
He’s truly unlike any other sailor but immediately commands respect. And we wouldn’t suggest directing any kind of slight at Ike, especially around the Wasp’s crew, which when full is over 3000 people. It’s true, LCDR Ike walks on four feet, chases a ball, and sometimes gets into mischief. He even pees on the deck, which is his unique right on board. But LCDR Ike provides his own significant service to the ship, which is obvious when he’s with the crew and is now even backed by rigorous studies.

Today On the Dogwatch we have the pleasure of talking with Brooke Corson, a former drill sergeant and combat specialist in the U.S. Army who founded Mutts With A Mission. A dog trainer since she was young, Brooke founded Mutts With A Mission to train and provide service dogs to support military veterans, police and first responders, and now also Expeditionary Facility Dogs on Navy ships.

In our conversation, we learn about Brooke’s unique background and training, the founding and “Mission” behind the organization, and learn what goes into training a true service dog. We of course also spend time on Brooke’s work in developing the Expeditionary Facility Dog program, and get to know LCDR Ike and what his life and service are like.

This is not one to miss, so let’s get on board with Mutts with a Mission.

65. On Parachutes and Paratroopers, with Author James Fenelon Sep 01, 2024

Show notes

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, today we have on the podcast someone who has firsthand experience and is the author of two books that relate to paratroopers in WWII.

In our conversation, we talk with James Fenelon about his background in the military and in using parachutes, the idea of using a parachute as a tool for travel in military combat and how that has changed, as well as the historical stories of paratroopers that James has written about in bothAngels Against the Sun and Four Hours of Fury. Ultimately, James uses the stories of real people and their experiences to contextualize some very important moments in our history. And what are those paratrooper boots and who gets to where them? James answers all of our questions.

64. Inside of a Dog, with Alexandra Horowitz Jun 15, 2024

Show notes

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 that Alexandra knows quite a bit about dogs, and she’s an expert at sharing her knowledge. That’s why we are so excited to have her on the podcast this week.

In our conversation we travel wide ground, and discuss things like how barking is unique to dogs, why it’s a mistake to say that one dog breed is friendlier than another, how dogs have been selected to seek our attention, and the extreme subtlety of inter-dog communication. We end on a discussion of what walking with other people and listening to them observe teaches you about how to observe.

Regardless of whether you have a dog, are a dog observer, or just a generally curious person, Alexandra Horowitz has a great deal to share.

63. Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea," with Mark Cirino May 28, 2024

Show notes

Hello, thank you for joining us today On the Dogwatch, where we consider the natural world and the things that help us experience it. On this podcast, it is like we are on a ship’s watch together, staring out at the ocean, thinking about the world as it goes by, and going wherever curiosity takes us. I am Michael Canfield, it is currently 1952 at the end of the Second Dog Watch, and this is Episode 63.

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 sentences and his work in general. Mark is a Professor of English, a prolific Hemingway scholar, and his most recent book is One True Sentence: Writers & Readers on Hemingway’s Art.

In our conversation, we discuss The Old Man and the Sea and how that story fits into a canon of adventure, and whether it belongs in the “Dogwatch Library,” our own list of great books for and about adventure that is modeled after Theodore Roosevelt’s “Pigskin Library.”

As we consider Santiago’s journey, we head all over the map, and touch on the “hero’s journey,” Ishmael and Moby Dick, The Red Badge of Courage, how adventure narratives are both external and internal, the idea that ‘the farther we go out the farther we go in’ in adventure narratives, and how Hemingway’s book can help us think about success and failure. At the end of our conversation we both choose our own “One True Sentences” from Hemingway’s work. Mark recommends further reading ideas from Hemingway including the short story “Big Two-Hearted River,” which he calls ‘Hemingway’s masterpiece,’ and the book Green Hills of Africa.

If you are not a listener already, you make sure you check out One True Podcast and Mark and Michael’s book, One True Sentence: Writers & Readers on Hemingway’s Art. They provide a readily accessible masterclass in Hemingway and how to access his work. They are the English professors you never had.

62. The Chelsea Clock Co. A Thing of Beauty Mar 28, 2024

Show notes

If I’m not mistaken, it was John Keats who said “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever.” That pretty much sums up Chelsea Clocks. This company is the oldest functioning clock company in the United States, and they make clocks at the highest levels of refinement and luxury. They still make mechanical clocks with their iconic solid brass case. The breadth of their offerings is significant, and they still run a robust repair shop to keep these beautiful timepieces running in top shape. You will find Chelsea clocks on naval and private ships, in homes around the world, and they are even a steadfast presence in the White House.

Today on the podcast we have the pleasure of talking with Tony LaChapelle, the President and COO of Chelsea Clocks. In our conversation, we discuss the history of the company, the current structure of their business and production facilities, the nature of the “ship’s bell clock”, and how Chelsea has maintained their relevance for more than a century. We even discuss their long relationship with Tiffany & Co. and the production of clocks for their business. If they are good enough for Tiffany, they are certainly good enough for anyone! While we discuss the range of Chelsea’s activities, you certainly need to hold one in your hand to appreciate them. When you first feel the literal gravity of these timepieces you will start to understand the difference.
Here are a few places to find Chelsea Clocks in person, and more can be found on Chelsea's retail locator.
Deprisco Jewelers, Boston, MA (The Dogwatch can personally vouch for this business as we have worked with them for a decade, including a very important ring...); Shreve, Crump, and Low, Boston, MA and Greenwich, CT; Tiffany and Co. , Boston, MA and New York, NY; Phillips' Clock Shop, Swampscott, MA; F.L. Woods Nautical, Marblehead, MA; Long's Jewelers, Nashua, NH; Gorman Clocks.,Tiverton, RI; Lux, Bond and Green Jewelers, West Hartford, CT; Scully & Scully, New York, NY; Hamilton Jewelers, Princeton, NJ; Maryland Clock Co., Davidsonville, MD; Skipjack Nautical Wares and Marine Gallery, Round Pond, ME and Portsmouth, VA; Henne Jewelers, Pittsburgh, PA; Bluewater Books & Charts, Fort Lauderdale, FL; Fisheries Supply Co., Seattle, WA; Captain's Nautical Supply, Seattle, WA; Land, Sea and Sky, Houston, TX.

61. Everything Rope, with Knot and Rope Supply Feb 19, 2024

Show notes

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 new directions and a lineup of guests and topics that we think you will enjoy. Since we gathered last, the podcast has new theme music, and the Dogwatch has a new website.

On the website, which is at www.thedogwatchcompany.com, you can check out our custom bandanas made by podcast guest One Feather Press, sundials from our guest Matt Kala, notebooks from our friends at Rite in the Rain, Damascus steel knives from the Japanese maker Mcusta, as well as the compact and stylish pens and pencils from the Japanese company OHTO. Not to overlook our canine companions, we also offer a full line of our own dog scarfs made right here in the Twin Cities. Check out the website, and we’d love to hear from you!

Today On the Dogwatch we have the pleasure of talking with John Hartenburg of Knot and Rope Supply. In our conversation, we learn about Knot and Rope Supply, the differences between types of ropes, and the ways that ropes are used. We also consider splicing, knots, and even John’s work in creating solutions for ejector seats and NASA.

60. Game Fair, a Sport and Outdoor Tradition for Dogs and Humans Aug 09, 2023

Show notes

What can happen when you combine 4,200 dogs and 39,000 people?
It turns out a lot of learning and fun. In this episode, we talk with Chuck Delaney of the Armstrong Ranch about Game Fair, a sport and outdoor show located in Ramsey, Minnesota. From Chuck’s perspective after running Game Fair for 42 years, we learn the history of the event, and how it was modeled after similar events in Britain, what happens at the fair–things like duck calling competitions, dog long jumps into a lake, shotgun and trap shooting, and dog training demonstrations. We even get a chance to talk with Chuck about what all of these experiences have taught him about people and dogs.

I spoke with Chuck in July, but am releasing this episode now because this year’s Game Fair takes place the coming two weekends, August 11-13 and 18-20. Whether you can make it I hope to see you, and if not, there is a lot to learn from Game Fair.

59. In Pursuit of the Finest Toothpicks, with Peter Smith at Daneson Jun 04, 2023

Show notes

So what is a toothpick, where did these originate, and what happens when you set out to make the finest toothpicks in the world?

Our guest today, Peter Smith at Daneson, helps us answer these questions. In our conversation, we discuss the history of toothpicks, and even their use by early modern humans, how these small slivers of wood became status symbols, and eventually fell out of favor. We move on to how Peter started Daneson to make fine toothpicks infused with flavors, why cinnamon and mint are some of the easiest choices, and then consider the challenges in the business, including how to choose flavors that work with toothpicks. We end the conversation with a discussion of Daneson’s efforts to both use northern white birch and contribute to the conservation of the forests where these trees live. In the end, we consider a lot more than toothpicks.

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