Last week we marked the winter solstice, the daylight’s yearly nadir; now, each subsequent day will bring with it incrementally more sunshine. Xanthoria parietina is ready. The orange coloring of […]
Visual Stories
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
A Tree Grows in Truro. But Who Planted It?
The legend of the Chinese mulberry might have to be enough
TRURO — Planting a tree is an act of hope, a belief in tomorrow, a promise to future generations one will never have the chance to meet. It makes sense, […]
ASTRAL PROJECTIONS
Preparing for This New Year, Patience Prevails
Taking the long view will help us do what we can do in 2025
With the Sun in Capricorn guiding us through the final days of 2024, it’s clear that ambition combined with responsibility and structure is the way to a happy and healthy […]
THE FEAST
Dreaming Up a Feast of the Seven Fishes
Seared scallops and buttery noodles are Christmas Eve comfort and joy
Everyone has something they do up for the holidays. Maybe you decorate your tree to a heavy rotation of Mariah Carey lined up on your playlist or dole out priceless […]
THE WHOLE TABLE
For a Winter Boost, Spice to Taste
Seasonings that save those too-familiar favorites when they start to seem ho-hum
I promise this story leads to three recipes for tasty spice blends to add to your cooking repertoire. But before we go down that path, I need to tell you […]
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
A Tree Grows in Truro. But Who Planted It?
The legend of the Chinese mulberry might have to be enough
TRURO — Planting a tree is an act of hope, a belief in tomorrow, a promise to future generations one will never have the chance to meet. It makes sense, […]
CAROLING
Santa Sighting at the Truro COA
TRURO — Santa Claus (though some said it was Mike Tarvers) stopped by the Community Center on Dec. 12 to encourage singing during lunch. So, 30 students from Truro Central […]
CROSSWORD #58
Winter Wonderland
VIBES
Tuning In to Tranquility
A winter sound bath, because no flower stays in bloom year-round
You might think about a ringing bell and imagine the force that preceded the sound: there’s a clapper oscillating back and forth in response to the flick of an impatient […]
GROWING WILD
Nap Time for a Fancy Fern
The local ferns in the Dryopteris genus all have feather-like fronds, but they can be differentiated by their varying degrees of frilliness. The compound leaves of D. marginalis, the marginal […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Dec. 17 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
WARRIORS WATCH
Nauset Wrestling Welcomes Five Tech Students
This year’s team is up to 21 members but is still missing some weight classes
SANDWICH — Chaz Thomas walked onto the wrestling mat at the open meet at Sandwich Middle High School on Saturday, Dec. 14 and greeted his opponent. “He’s probably the strongest […]
RABBIT HOLES
A Rabbit Species That Once Was Lost Is Now Found
The rare New England cottontail persists, and maybe thrives, on the Outer Cape
WELLFLEET — For decades, the New England cottontail, a rare species of rabbit, appeared to be nearly wiped out here. But a new study has found evidence that these rabbits […]
MILLION-YEAR PICNIC
With Winter Comes the Hunter
Look to the constellation Orion for bright stars and newly formed ones, too
If there is one constellation that most people can identify, it’s Orion — the hunter. He strides boldly across the night sky, a club in one hand, a shield in […]
ASTRAL PROJECTIONS
You’ll Get There, If You’re as Stubborn as a Goat
Capricorn season requires a little extra effort from everyone
The Sun is making its transit from Sagittarius into Capricorn, and remember, these ambitious sea goats are notorious for getting what they want. That’s because they have the drive, resources, […]
