THIS JUST IN: She's been a fashion icon, a dentist, and an aerobics instructor. Now, for her 125th job, Barbie is a journalist. Her tag-line: "A flair for journalism and power of pink - appropriately perky, Barbie is blond, dressed for cable news in a low-cut cami and glittery pink suit. Comes with a microphone and camera."

I'm writing to you as I finish up tasks prior to a two-week vacation. I suppose it is the anticipation of coming weeks that has me thinking about rest, sabbath. You, however, will be reading it well on the other side of my break, as the rhythms of summer have quickened into the mad and sometimes maddening dash of the fall. So sit back for a moment, take a deep, cleansing breath or two, resist that temptation to speed read your way through the next paragraphs and come with me back to a quieter and sunnier place than you may currently find yourself.