As my old gray matter stirs slowly to life, I look up and find that it’s almost 2 p.m. and I’ve yet to write a post. Instead, I’ve been answering a discussion question for my class and figuring out the topic of my first paper. 

Yes, I write all the time, but not academic papers. I’ve spent most of my adult life penning articles for commercial establishments — magazines, newspapers, nonprofits. Writing for the academy is different, I tell myself. 

But maybe not all that much. Maybe I’m making it too big a deal (I’ve been known to do that). Maybe all I need to do is what I’ve always done: research, analyze and write. Just share what I learn, and in this case, what I believe. 

(Gray stone, gray matter, Georgetown’s Healey Hall)