GAZETTE
Published by My Big Fat Funny Life
Volume I, Number 004 June 7, 2026
A weekly-ish dispatch from Greece, with questionable authority and excellent coffee.
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In Greece, Nothing Is Ever Broken Enough to Throw Away
From immortal refrigerators to sofa pillows with a second life, Greeks have long believed that “finished” is just an opinion.
Reader favorite
Greece Is Not for Everyone
The problems are real. The coffee lasts two hours. And two hours outside Athens, everything changes.
Coming Up Sunday, June 7
Greek Summer Begins With Noise
Greek summer does not begin on the calendar. It begins with cherries, melons, barking dogs, and the sacred grrrrr-zzzzzh of bureaucracy in the weeds.
You made it this far. You may as well do the right thing.
Free, of course.
No forms, no stamps, no appointment at KEP.
(If Substack flashes the paid menu first,
choose None and carry on.)
The Kafeneio Spoke
A collection from this week’s table.
“This was impressed strongly on us, as soon as we started staying long-term on Crete. It was obvious from the facial expressions that the discussion was neutral (don't forget to get bread) or friendly (that was a great meal at your place) but by the volume level you'd assume a blood feud. It's great for learning Greek, though, as you can (eavesdrop? Not really. Clearly hear) any conversation on the street.”
— Diane H For: The Greek Volume Mystery
“We’ve been married for 32 years, and our first fridge is still keeping things cool in our current basement. The two green winged back Queen Anne chairs in our entry served two different great aunts faithfully before they came to us some 30 years ago. They have never been reupholstered, but one of the arm covers was lost in our last move, so I removed the other three. I do wish I was good at repairing things, but alas, I am not.”
— Lenora R For: In Greece, Nothing Is Ever Broken Enough to Throw Away
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