CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

The Dead Christmas Tree

December 3, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

“Dad, who started the ‘dead tree’ tradition?” My eldest daughter called with the question as she watched her man thread live wires and bright bulbs onto the dead tree outside the door to their apartment. “I was trying to tell Bing about it and couldn’t remember who started it,” she … Read More

Giving

November 26, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

We sigh now, loosening our belts, skirts, pants and shirts, having survived the gathering of families and friends around the mythic bird of thanks, and now plunge headlong into what has been called “the season of giving,” or more commercially, “buy-this-stuff-so-we-can-get-bigger-bonuses.” Who among us gives thought to those who had … Read More

Alma Mater

November 19, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

“Alma Mater, God preserve thee/ Dear Schenley High…” A couple of years ago I read that a graduate of my high school had written a book. I bought the book and read it because the characters were students of a fictionalized version of that high school and came from the … Read More

A Loving of Family

November 12, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

An airline sent me notification of a low fare flight and I called my sister: “What are you doing from September 4th to the 7th?” I’d like to say that Jaci told me to “Book it, Dano,” but she did not, but when I did book the flight to Reagan … Read More

A Stevie Wonder Call

November 5, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

One recent Tuesday, I got a phone call from my grandson. Or more accurately, from my grandson’s cell phone. The voice on the other end of the signal was that of my granddaughter, and what sounded like twenty of her closest friends. Imani’s volume control dial is set to “10” … Read More