Author Archives: John Walters

The Things I Lack

The longer I stay in the United States the more I realize how much things have changed since I lived here thirty-five years ago, and the more I realize too how unprepared I was to make the leap from Greece … Continue reading

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The Terror of the Uncertain Moment

During the day, in the summer, the boardwalk at Pacific Beach in San Diego is full of cyclists, skateboarders, joggers, homeless tramps, and pedestrians.  The beach is full of sunbathers, Frisbee and football throwers, and more joggers.  The water itself, … Continue reading

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Awakening in the New World

The United States I left thirty-five years ago is not the same country to which I have returned.  It has changed in profound ways.  To me it is a new country, a foreign country to which I have to acclimatize … Continue reading

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How to Pack a Life in a Bag of Less Than Twenty Kilos

I am traveling from Thessaloniki to Frankfurt, Germany and from thence to San Diego, California, via Seattle.  For my flight I am allowed one check-in bag of less than twenty kilos, one carry-on bag of less than eight kilos, and … Continue reading

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Murphy’s Law

It’s an old adage, commonly referred to as Murphy’s Law:  anything that can go wrong, will go wrong. Here I sit in Frankfurt, Germany – between worlds.  Behind me is the old world of Greece, a world I have lived … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Radicalism of the American Revolution by Gordon S. Wood

I like history books that read like novels:  full of anecdotes, details, fast-paced narration, fascinating characters.  This book is not like that.  It does not read like a novel at all; it reads more like a university lecture.  You have … Continue reading

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Book Update

Generally I confine my blog to essays, book reviews, and so on, but occasionally a bit of self promotion is not amiss.  As I prepared to make my grand departure from Greece for the United States, knowing I would be … Continue reading

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Paranoia Revisited

When contemplating my upcoming return to the United States after thirty-five years abroad I realized that the prospect terrified me.  Analyzing a fear is one method of banishing it, so I decided to consider why my native land held such … Continue reading

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Book Review: The Air-Conditioned Nightmare by Henry Miller

By way of introduction let me emphasize that Henry Miller is one of my favorite writers.  His writings changed my life, changed my attitude towards writing and towards literature.  “Tropic of Cancer” is one of my favorite books of all … Continue reading

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Transitions

For over fifteen years I have stood fast here in Thessaloniki, raising a family and working at private language schools teaching English.  The family never ends this side of the grave, though responsibilities diminish as the kids grow, but a … Continue reading

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