: About Me

As of November 2011, feeling overworked, underpaid and under-appreciated at Helium, Karon Brandt is on "vacation" until she can see the promised improvements occur on the site.

I've been freelancing for over 50 years. I have been published in a psychology journal, a national home magazine, and a poetry anthology, among others. My first rhymed verse was published in the school paper when I was in the third grade, and I have been writing ever since.

I got a B.A. degree in psychology and minored in German. I did casework in Children's Services and saw horrific things that I didn't know went on in the U.S. We don't need to go beyond our borders to help children in other countries; we've got several thousand right here that need loving homes, protective services, food, and stability.

I have done volunteer work with Brownies, Girl Scouts, Head Start, animal rescue and church work. In fact, I feel like a professional volunteer. I've written, edited, and published many church and college-faculty newsletters. I find writing to be an exhilarating experience, and I have tried to share it with groups I belonged to.

I enjoy being home while writing about life's experiences. I want to spend time with my semi-retired husband who is my companion and soul-mate. We love to motorcycle together, and we ride in any weather short of snowfall.

My college-graduated daughter and I did dog rescue together for 4 years. We listed dogs on Petfinder.com. We did home checks and vet checks; and we ran online auctions to raise money for the rescued dogs. We re-homed 120 dogs. Sometimes we were out till 3 a.m. on behalf of the dogs. My daughter is a fiction writer and my best friend.

I wrote, edited, and published 62-page booklets "For Dog Lovers Only" and sold them to raise money for the rescued dogs.

I also have a grown son who is a wonderful caregiver to my elderly mother. My family mean everything to me.

I grew up in W. PA and now live in E. PA. My growing up years (25) in the Pittsburgh suburbs have been quite different from my mellowing years (35) among the "Dutchies" and the Mennonites. I have lived in the southern and mid western parts of the U.S., but Pennsylvania has always been "home."

I know I am going to enjoy this site, and I hope to get to know many of you devoted writers on Helium.

I am also a published writer on Associated Content, and I have several exclusive articles about dogs there: http://www.associatedcontent.com/user/555540/karon_brandt.html.

My passion is ...

writing, dogs, gardening, bird watching, motorcycling.

I know too much about ...

I don't think you can ever know too much about anything.

My parents always told me ...

"Be yourself" and "Be true to yourself."

My childhood ambition ...

was to be a social worker. Been there, done that.

My favorite memory ...

climbing trees and eating their fruits when I was a tomboy.

Why I write ...

It makes me focus my thoughts and re-think priorities.

What I am reading/watching/listening to ...

I love comedy, soft sounds, Nature and animal rescue programs.

My first job ...

Social work in child welfare.

My best moment ...

Starting a new life with my soulmate.

My inspiration ...

My family!

Parenting & Pregnancy > Adoption Should adoption by those over age 50 be permitted?

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You don't need to go outside the U.S. to find an adoptable child in need of a good home. Babies are not the ones in dire need, but it's a serious problem for children over five years old. Where do you find an older child to adopt? In the U.S., we have welfare programs that give monetary aid to (usually) mothers of dependent children and children's services that intervene in cases of abuse and neglect. Money alone is not enough to raise a child. Some cases only need temporary help, but many of these families are "3rd generation welfare." Here are some stories of what happens in long-term, r...

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