Who is this Leah?

As a professional dog trainer and canine behavior therapist, I have been told I am a rarity in my field. I am one that has a love for both dogs (all critters really) and people.  Ron, who was my high school sweetheart and now husband of 30 years, and I discovered the I 70 corridor during our quest for quieter, simpler living in our empty nesting years.  I love this community and am happy to serve it.  I have made so many great friends and acquaintances.  For an added bonus, the commute is always a quiet scenic drive, or sometimes a stroll in a beautiful country atmosphere.

Since moving here I have discovered the difference between bull and rattlesnakes, I have a standby recipe for removing skunk odor (I know personally that this works great),  there are more song birds on the plains then i the city, even with so few trees, it takes twice as much work to get my gardens and landscaping to grow and there are some pretty interesting, bugs out here.  I have finally taken the time to learn to identify the constellations since we can see them all! Bug repellents are a must for both 2 and 4 legged family members.  Some years have been so thick the mosquitos would nearly carry us away (did you know there are several species of mosquitos and they don’t all need a substantial amount of water to breed?).  I keep trying to think of interesting ways to use tumble weeds, and I have actually learned to love the wind, in the very least I know the air is super fresh.  I love to find baby toads for my grandson and my nephew, there is never a shortage.

The sky is also a spectacular daily show in just about any season.  360 degree sunsets and sunrises.  I love the sky!  There have been many times that I could see both the beginning and the end of an entire storm.  I have actually seen purple rain and double and triple rainbows.

I have been brave and learned to do canning, maintain a sourdough starter and bake great sourdough bread.  I am so thankful for all my local friends who have been good teachers, encouraging and helped me succeed.  My latest quest is learning to make Kombucha tea and sauerkraut.  My kitchen has become a science lab.

This community has been such an inspiration for me to explore life beyond instant gratification, meals from a box or a fast food franchise.  I have found that slowing down to literally smell the roses and enjoy the beautiful wheat fields, new baby calfs and birds of prey soaring in the sky have been restorative.  Going to the grocery store needs to have extra time built in because I typically run into several people I know and shopping pleasantly becomes a social hour.  I love to support local businesses as often as possible.  Its hard to go back to the big box stores when you are spoiled by the friendly service of the local shops.

I look forward to blogging for Strasburg Rocks.  I have such a love for this place.