That early morning "thud" heard, as my private addiction, The New York Times, makes its appearance in my driveway - often before the birds have made their first chirp - finds me going out in the semi-darkness in the briefest of nighttime attire more often than not (hoping I am not giving the neighbors a free show) to pick it up.  If you wonder who is the first to read it almost cover to cover, it’s me.  I guess some of you could guess.

Yes, I read the editorial page columns - well, who doesn’t?  And just when I think I have chosen my favorite writer, they seem to have a bad day, i.e. I don’t agree with them, and while I imagine the columnist has to be crushed to have a discriminating reader pick them apart so readily, I cozy up to another. 

But all but hidden in the Science Section on Tuesday, I find that Health Editor Jane Brody always writes as if the two of us are having a heart-to-heart chat.  Frist of all, the woman is our age - or thereabouts - and has no problem discussing the most personal health problems in a way I not only understand but find myself, more often than not, clipping out and sending on to friends who thank me forever.  When you get your scissors out, this woman is a "don’t miss" - believe me!!!

Jane’s many personal health issues — yes, I call her Jane and consider her a friend — like breast cancer, problems with an aging mother, and her decision to have double knee surgery in one fell swoop and her thoughts on whether she’d do it again are laid out in full.  What else do I like?  Her thoughts on the new old age (of course, none of us are there yet or even close - but someday we might be) deserve the scissors treatment.  The columns are that helpful, that good.

And so when the world news has you fighting depression, Jane Brody may have some ideas on turning that around in that woman-to-woman tell-it-like-it-is way that only best friends are good at.  And what could possibly be wrong when Jane does not hesitate to admit her own frailties. Especially when it comes to ice cream. "I eat it until it’s not there anymore," she confesses. "I wouldn’t die if I were told I couldn’t have ice cream, but I might think life isn’t worth living."

I don’t know about you, but Jane Brody, columnist for the New York Times, never fails to make my day.  

Joan Ganz reminded me that David Brooks is a good writer, although I haven’t read him lately, haven’t read the NYT lately either. 

Pat Buchanan is good.  He has the ability to make even the most complicated political relationships understandable.  He is a walking history book.

I get a kick out of Michelle Malkin — not sure if she’s a columnist, per se. 

Lawrence Kudlow, who contributes articles to Rasmussen Reports, is worth reading. 

Not sure I’d follow any of these columnists anywhere, or buy a newspaper for them, but I read them whenever I see them.