Hello @allenjm , it sounds to me like the Layer Properties form is opening, but you can't see it. Perhaps it is hidden behind something else, or right at the edge of your screen, or on a second screen, or somewhere your PC used to have a screen ? Try changing your PC's Screen Resolution to the minimum, then the maximum, and see if the form appears.
Normal behaviour is to right-click on a Layer and select Properties, and at this point the Layer Properties form appears. If you ignore that form, then the rest of ArcGIS Pro does indeed act as if it is "locked up". Pressing ESC, is the same as pressing Cancel, and the form disappears and ArcGIS Pro operates freely again.