Wampanoag people across southeastern Massachusetts have appreciated the astringent qualities of the native Vaccinium macrocarpon for thousands of years. Europeans were not entirely unfamiliar with this plant either when they […]
Visual Stories
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, March 4 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
ASTRAL PROJECTIONS
Better Living Through Chemistry
Some reactions are beautiful or useful, others are explosive
This week is all about relationality and connectedness, a view of the world in which existence means being in relationship with others. Astrology always takes this view, I think. Or […]
MORNING FLIGHT
The Ravens Say It’s Spring
These intelligent birds start laying their eggs in late February
I was driving past Old North Cemetery in Truro a couple of weeks ago when I saw a bird flying upside down. It soon flipped back over, completing an awkward […]
NEW ORLEANS DISPATCH
A Cure for the Day After Mardi Gras (Also Recommended for Winter in Truro)
Ya-ka-mein proves that the intersection of cultures is what makes America great
It’s a bright and cool late morning in New Orleans and we’re lingering over the last of our coffee (me) and tea (Christopher) on the little front porch of our […]
CIRCLE GAME
In Capoeira, the Rhythms of Resistance
Andre Lima teaches children to practice strength, self-expression, and belonging
Capoeira begins in a circle. And it always comes back to a circle. But at nine o’clock on a cold Saturday morning, six children (along with a couple of their […]
THE SCUTTLEBUTT
Boater Safety Training Finally Becomes Law
Knowing what you’re doing on the water hasn’t been required until now
Last weekend’s sunny break in the long February cold wave was a reminder that with the chilly March wind comes the dawn of another spring on the Outer Cape. And […]
TO THE MAT
A Pose for Defying Chaos
The Bird Dog is for strength, balance, and a mood boost
I’ve been thinking lately about what it was that got me interested in yoga in the first place. I remember the first time I went to a yoga class: I […]
THE MAGICAL YET
Together and Not, Taking a Course on Ecstatic Dance
Movement, meditation, and release on a Winter Wednesday
TRURO — Warm white light outlines the rectangular room, its glow emanating from battery-operated mushroom puffs and flickering electric votives. At the center of the room is a small circle […]
WILD THINGS
Feeling Fine on Blueberry Wine
The chance to look closely at the zig-zag branching habit of several old wild highbush blueberries is one good reason to walk around Great Pond in Wellfleet on a cold […]
RARA AVIS
This Week’s Bird Sightings
Confirmed bird sightings on the Outer Cape in the week preceding the Independent’s deadline on Tuesday, Feb. 25 included the following, based on a report prepared by Mass Audubon’s Wellfleet […]
ASTRAL PROJECTIONS
Pisces Means Business
It’s time to put in a little extra effort
With the Sun in Pisces, all play and no work will not fly. While the desire to avoid work will be strong in the days ahead, the need for it […]
MILLION-YEAR PICNIC
Following the ‘Wandering Stars’
Venus, Jupiter, and Mars lead the way around the zodiac
The colorful nightly parade of planets that began in January continues this month and next, with Venus, Jupiter, and Mars all visible after dark — clouds permitting. These planets can […]
THE WHOLE TABLE
An Ode to the Overripe Banana
A baker’s quest turns up the perfect (gluten-free) banana muffin recipe
The cookbook that first got me interested in baking was Flour by Joanne Chang. I was still a teenager when I brought it home after a delicious lunch at one […]
GRAVEYARD SHIFT
Icebound, in Stereoscope
The Arctic freeze of 1875 and G.H. Nickerson’s ‘views’
The oldest of Cape Cod’s old-timers could not remember when it had been colder or when more ice had piled up in the harbors. January 1875 had begun seasonably enough. […]
