Clarity

The water is clear as glass in Woods Hole right now.

Every year in April, there are a few magical weeks in Woods Hole. The ocean is clear as glass. The turbulence of winter storms has dissipated, and the spring bloom has not yet begun. During those few perfect weeks, the seafloor's normal dark cloak dissolves, and light penetrates all the way through to the sand. I could easily believe the ocean surrounding Woods Hole was tropical. 

The impressive clarity of the sea around me has been coupled with clarity of mind. After recovering from my Patagonian sojourn and struggling against the reviewers of my most recent manuscript, I have emerged from a stormcloud of work. I have a rare, beautiful window of freedom before the next round of deadlines approach. Like the ocean, I have nothing but clear, glassy water for a few precious weeks. 

Here is the question, friends: what should I do with my time? Of course my to-do list offers plenty of options, but I relish the freedom to choose. Do I want to work on a paper, a proposal, or analyze samples in the lab? Any and all are possible. Thank goodness for early spring clarity.