I am a native New Yorker who was talked into going to school in Ohio by my supposedly best friend and ended up staying there long enough to receive a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Bowling Green University. I drifted out to Los Angeles because my ex-wife was intent on becoming a movie star. Having no better way to squander my money, I opened up a literary bookstore called Intellectuals & Liars in Santa Monica and became part of the poetry scene there. I had a few short stories and an excerpt from an earlier novel published in some small literary magazines, held weekly poetry/prose readings, published broadsides, and, being no exception to the rule that poetry doesn’t sell, went out of business. This led to a series of jobs like selling shoes, running a warehouse, writing advertising copy for radio, and teaching English to immigrants. Since my main concern was keeping a roof over my head and the wolves from the door while I continued to write, I took a job as a full-time tenured faculty member at a college. Eventually, not being satisfied with just teaching, I created an English Language Institute and went over to the dark side and joined the administration so I could run it. I ran language programs in both the US and Turkey for decades but now have settled into a life of writing/reading/traveling as an expat in Turkey since I find being an alien in a foreign country is easier to adjust to than being an alien in my own country. I have 6 books in print and others in various stages of completion which can be viewed on my website: http://www.leonarddurso.net. And once, in a city far, far away, I was a scoutmaster, which means I’m pretty good at knots, campfires, and am pretty loyal, trustworthy, helpful, etc.
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Leonard Durso 
Oh, Leonard … I’m glad you discovered my blog, if only because it led me to discover yours. Some beautiful words here…
And by the way: my parents and my sister are all Falcons. As for me, I have my MFA from Virginia Tech, and like a lot of similarly degreed people, I’ve done a whole lot of strange and seemingly unrelated things. I currently work in property managemen & consider the work to be a writer’s playground, even if it’s the last work in the world I ever would have considered doing. 🙂
I look forward to reading more of your work!
Hi AK, sometimes what we stumble on by accident is just as, if not occasionally more, interesting than where we were headed originally. Thank you for the compliment and let me say I am very glad I have stumbled upon you. Len
Inspired by your “…whole lot of strange and seemingly unrelated things!” I wonder if you have a magic carpet tucked away in a secret place?
Thanks. Unfortunately no magic caqrpet yet.
Welcome to the space between cultures…
Thank you, Jadi. It’s a good space to be in.
Thank you for following my blog, Leonard! Interesting life you have there… Off to explore your writing now. 🙂
Thanks for stopping by. Hope you like what you read.
Greetings Len, and I appreciate the ‘Like’ on the train post. I find your story and work intriguing, and look forward to future contact. The comment about being an alien in your own country struck a cord with me.
Thank you, Michael. I’m happy you like my work because I think I’ll be exploring more of yours soon. Be well, fellow alien.
Thank you for stopping by my blog. I appreciate it.
You are most welcome.
I have nominated you [http://elusivetrope.com/2015/11/20/3d-3q-day-2/] for the 3 Days 3 Quotes Challenge.I want to say I don’t want you to feel obligated to participated. I just want people to experience and photographs I feel are inspiring and grounding.
What an interesting life you have led! It’s nice to know you’re loyal and trustworthy. I’m pretty good at building campfires, not so tying knots. But if you need someone who can provide wild game and cook it over said campfire, I’m your woman. lol
I’ll keep that in mind. What woods do you frequent?
I grew up in Arkansas on a farm/ranch in the Ozark and Boston Mountains area. My husband and I continued to live there after marrying . When he died about fifteen years ago, I moved to the city.
Big contrast. I bet.
I shopped in the city (and it isn’t a large one) on a regular basis, so I was familiar with it. The hard part was becoming accustomed to seeing my neighbors’ houses. I still miss the semi-isolation and wide open spaces.
I’ve mostly been in or near cities most of my life but like time spent in coastal villages periodically. It’s the sea. Even from my windows in Istanbul, I can see the sea.
You are so lucky to have that view. I love the sea. Three long-time lady friends and I rent a house right on The Gulf of Mexico for a week or two every October. There’s a good possibility that in the future I’ll relocate there. Nothing like falling asleep listening to the waves rolling in.
One of my closest friends spends 5 or 6 weeks a year in Puerto Vallarta during the winter. And another close friend spends 4 months each year on a Caribbean island where he plays in a local bar/restaurant during happy hour. When I move back to the US next year, I plan to visit both of these friends during those times. Your idea of relocating to the Gulf of Mexico sounds pretty good to me.
One of my sisters and her husband frequently visits Puerto Vallarta. I prefer that house on the beach, far from touristy hangouts. In the off season, one can pretty much have the beach to themselves.
We think along the same lines.
🙂
Thank you, Leonard, for following my blog. You may meet some interesting people here. Charles
It’s my pleasure. Looking forward to meeting them.
HI
Thanks for finding my blog and liking a post. Hope you come back again soon
You’re welcome. And yes, I’ll be back since I am now following you.
Thank you so much 🙂
My pleasure.
Thanks for the follow, Leonard. And thanks especially for reading some of my work. Your work is quite interesting.
Thank you for this comment. I look forward to reading more of your work.
Thank you Leonard for following my Blog and for all your likes that you left me during the year I appreciate so much your loyalty as follower and I hope that you enjoy my Art and writings now and for time coming! You have a great Blog here I finally had a visit more in details and I decided to follow! 😉 Your life is a quite journeys filled with many experiences and congratulations for your books! Wish you all the best!
Thank you for saying that. I hope you enjoy my posts as much as I enjoy yours.
Thank you Leonard looking forward to read more of your posts.
Thanks for stopping by and liking my blog! I look forward to reading more here 🙂
Thank you. I hope you like this as well.
Thank you for the visit to my blog !!!!!….I appreciate it!!!!
From reading “about me ” you have been a busy man lol
Have a great night
Suzette
This was buried in my “Pending Comments” so I just read it. Thanks for the visit.
Hello, Leonard! I wanted to formally say “hello” as you’ve followed me and been so supportive with your “likes”! I’ve followed you, and look forward to seeing more of what you have here as well. Lovely About section, by the way. Quite the story! 🙂 Em
Thank you, Emily. I look forward to continuing to read your work as well.
Happy to discover and follow your blog
ps: I invite you to visit mine too
Anita
https://femmeetinfos.wordpress.com
I have visited your blog and am now a follower, Anita. Looking forward to reading more.
Thank you so much for visiting and following my blog
Happy for this good comment and sse your blog later too
Glad to have discovered you.
My pleasure
🙂
Fascinating bio, I’m thinking of becoming an alien elsewhere too… will look forward to your posts..
Thank you. I like your blog, too.
What a fascinating gentleman you are. A pleasure to stumble across your words.
Thank you, Lucy. When this election is over, and I can focus, I’ll visit the worid you have created.
You are welcome any time. I shall be following the election myself with great interest. Take care 🙂
Hi! You have been nominated for The Black Cat Blue Sea Award!
This award is non obligatory so it’s your choice either to accept it or not.
Thank you for honoring me but I have reward enough when people like what I post.
What an absolutely beautiful response 😊
Thank you and please understand I appreciate you thinking of me.
Thank you so much for liking my little post on Poet’s Corner. Hereafter, I will follow your blog, and feel very positive that your writing will inspire me a lot.
You’re welcome and thank you for those kind words. I will now visit your blog as well.
Wow, you have done some interesting living. Why not share some of your stories at the Senior Salon?
It’s all in what I write one way or another.
“I find being an alien in a foreign country is easier to adjust to than being an alien in my own country.” – I can relate to that. I have traveled so much and lived in so many different countries that when someone asked me the other day where I was from I was lost for a minute as to how to answer. I am glad I found your blog and I look forward to reading your posts.
Thank you for your interest. Unfortunately I have to go meet my attorney in an hour to deal with my residency renewal but tomorrow I will explore your blog. You might want to look at my website: http://www.leonarddurso.net to see my books and more up-to-date- bio info. Looking forward to reading entries on your blog.
A life lived is, inevitably, the only one we have! And yours looks pretty interesting!
Thank you. It was, for the most part, never boring.