Caturday Questions

Our friendly felines got some new toys this week. You would think that would mean they allow humans more time to write because they’ve got more things to do, but they’re also now insisting that the treat filled ball actually remain filled with treats. Also, some of the toys have bells. They’ll settle down soon…Continue reading “Caturday Questions”

Watch/Listen/Read

Erika writes: I feel like I blinked and missed out on this whole week. Or perhaps I just haven’t gotten nearly as much done as I’d like to. Whatever it is, I’m making inroads in my battle with the writer’s block I’ve been writing about for the last two weeks. I’m not convinced it’s overContinue reading “Watch/Listen/Read”

London Letters #6: A Tale of Two Pianos

By Adam Katz Playing piano is one of the main reasons I am surviving the pandemic. If we recognize (and if you don’t, I have some news for you) that the mind is part of the body, and so emotional health is physical health, then it shouldn’t be surprising that within a few weeks ofContinue reading “London Letters #6: A Tale of Two Pianos”

Writer’s Block: Bad Days are Easier

By Erika Grumet I’ve been staring at blank pages for days, deadlines lurking right around the corner on my calendar… wandering between in a funk because I can’t think of what to write about and Kermit-arm-flailing panic that the words are never going to come back. I don’t exactly think of it as “writer’s block”Continue reading “Writer’s Block: Bad Days are Easier”

Curious Caturday

Big Cat and Little Cat have both been trying to help me out today–the bad weather has left me very sore. I appreciate their effort. They’re definitely trying to help out…. And speaking of helpful things…our Caturday question is about tools. I found myself expressing serious appreciation for my thesaurus this week and also theContinue reading “Curious Caturday”

Watch/Listen/Read

Erika writes: I’ve had an interesting week battling something like writer’s block and keeping an impending migraine at bay. Hints of the writer’s block accompanied the candy fumes of last week, but I wasn’t prepared for how awful it would make me feel when it actually arrived! Hours of staring at blank screens, often withContinue reading “Watch/Listen/Read”

A Few of Our Favorite Things: LGBTQ+

After a year of podcasting and six months of writing and editing essays for this website, Adam and Erika are leaving the Ivory Tower Boiler Room at the end of November. We’re sad to go, but also eager for whatever comes next. This is not the end of our adventure in writing, of course. YouContinue reading “A Few of Our Favorite Things: LGBTQ+”

London Letter #5: “Somewhere Beyond the Sea”

By Adam Katz Yeah. I’m not in London anymore. I’m not even in England anymore. But I’m still writing these because there are aspects of my trip I look back on, even at the remove of only a few days, with a warm sense of delight and tranquility and joy. And there are parts IContinue reading “London Letter #5: “Somewhere Beyond the Sea””

Real Isn’t How You Were Made, It’s Something That Happens to You

The other night, while I was trying to get some writing done, and really struggling, and had gone through all of my usual techniques for getting my head into the right place, I took a break, and stuck this little note to my keyboard.  I’ve talked a lot about not being a “real writer.” I’veContinue reading “Real Isn’t How You Were Made, It’s Something That Happens to You”

Caturday Questions

Even Big Cat and Little Cat want treats for Halloween. Fortunately they leave mine alone, unless you count the times that they have tried sitting on the chocolates I’ve placed next to me, melting them and sometimes getting bits of chocolate on their fur. And what would Caturday be without a question? Leave your answerContinue reading “Caturday Questions”