What I Learned from Associated Content Writers for the Week of October 8-14, 2009

Last week on a whim, I picked some of my favorite articles because I was just so impressed with the work that I had read that past week on AC. We who like to read and comment, are aware that the level of writing at Associated Content is stellar and deserves recognition. In honor of that great female muckraker author Ida Tarbell, I named my "award", the IDA..and so this week I would like to announce the IDA award to the following wonderful articles. I hope you read them and enjoy them as much as I did. You may have already done so, but if not check them out. And in the comments section, if you want to leave an article that you loved this week, then I'll head out to read it and perhaps some of the other commenters will too! As always, I could have added so many more!

And thanks to everyone who read my own work this week. I appreciate it. I didn't have a lot of time for writing this week, but hopefully next week's work load will lighten up and I can find something fun to write about and share here at the lovely writing community of Associated Content.

IDA Winners for Betty's favorite picks of articles go to:

Allene Newburg Bilodeau, from my own home state of Indiana, has hit me in the gut with the powerful expression of how the music of Leonard Cohen impacted her. I've read a lot of poetry here on Associated Content and as a poetry lover, I rarely share my own, it's so personal to me. This poem moved me to tears, most likely in light of the fact that she and I are of the same age and generation and have the same damn hormones pummeling through our veins and brains.

Patti Byrd's stories about her Aunt Lottie are a hoot for sure! I haven't decided if Aunt Lottie is a real person or not, but she sure is entertaining! As is all of Patti's sweet writing from the heart.

Rachel de Carlos is one of my favorite Associated Content travel writers. And this week's article about Masada, Israel is amazing. I want to travel to Israel with my grand-daughters someday. They are Israeli by right of their mother even though they live here in Indy. Plus, as a young person, the thought of being a biblical archaeologist was something I considered. Rachel brought Masada to my door with her article!

The ongoing Associated Content verbal sparring "duel" between Maria Roth and Frank Mucci continues. If you want to see some of the wittiest exchange of "ideas" ( I'm not for sure we can call them really idea's- more like mindless ramblings, but entertaining none the less), then check out Maria's telepathic interview with Frank.

The photo of the day with Morag Mortimer-Smythe is always amazing but I thought this avenue of trees was the perfect fall photo. Still green trees lining a road covered with mounds of fall leaves on either side, blue sky in the background. It just said beautiful fall and I loved the simple perspective of the photo. She's got some of the best Associated Content photography.

Sherri Thornhill's article about a free maid service for women fighting cancer says it all. I love it when Associated Content writers post about their favorite charities or services that help people in their world. It's a great easy thing all of us can do to spread the word and perhaps help just one person.

Jolynne Hudnell wrote my favorite "health and nutrition" article this past week at Associated Content, on the benefits of flaxseed. I love her writing style, breezy and informative when it works, but serious and detailed when the subject merits it. This article combines both styles and gives us great information on an easy thing we all can do to improve our health.

If I could "copy" any writer here at Associated Content, it would be Christine Zibias. I love the topics she chooses, the way she writes, the solid, informative but absolutely entertaining and well written articles she writes. My reading list continues to grow from her book recommendations and this week's Once in a Blue Moon review was about a book I know I have to read.

Associated Content brims with writers who offer good advice on life and on writing. I thought this article, by Melody Arcamo-Lagrimas about how to keep inspired and motivated was also lovely advice for living life.

Euwyn Pueges loves birds in her yard and garden and I love to read her articles because I share those same interests. She knows so much more than I do though, so I always learn something cool when I read her articles.

Anne Wright is almost too prolific of a writer for me to keep up with reading! But her work is always so interesting and pertinent to me. I enjoy it, so I read it! There is a lot of Christmas stuff going up on Associated Content, but this simple article on reindeer crafts just says Christmas to me. I like the reindeer theme of Christmas, Rudolph and friends.

Okay, I'm hooked on Haiku History thanks to JC Grant! It's like singing a little history song..I use the tune I didn't Start the Fire by Neil Diamond! :)

The biggest laugh I gave this week and the most fun article I read was this one yesterday by Linda Nickerson on the upcoming nuptials of Sponge Bob Squarepants to Sandy Squirrel. That's all I'm going to say. You'll have to read it to see what I mean, or perhaps it's just my bizarre sense of humour.

Wow, 13 this week, but I could have added 13 more! This is so hard to choose. I started a bad habit that I must stop. When I would read something I loved, I would comment that this piece deserved an IDA award from me for the week. And they did! But this article would be five pages long if I included all of them. Again, I am impressed, as I'm sure all of you are, by the depth and quality of writing of Associated Content contributors and sources or whatever we're supposed to call each other.

Have a great week reading and writing!