I’m waiting with a full cart in a checkout line at the grocery store. Someone lines up behind me with a cart barely containing half a dozen items.

We’re different — no question about it. Some people say it’s because this is an island, but it’s more than that.

Not so long ago, or so it seems to me, I was leaf-crunching with delight in the West Tisbury woods or taking Sunday walks down Middle Road into Chilmark.

The early morning walk with Scout, who remains a puppy at heart even as she approaches the age of two, is a duty, but it’s also an act of solace. We both need the outdoors.

Living year-round on Martha’s Vineyard requires specific survival skills. These include stocking up on your favorite grocery items when they are on sale.

SNAP, the nation’s largest food assistance program, is a critical lifeline for people across the country, including many Islanders who are struggling to afford the food they need.