CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

It’s Me, Imani

October 8, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

“Hi, Cool Papa, It’s me, Imani.” When my granddaughter was about 4 years old, and her mother put her on the phone to speak to me, she would always announce herself in that way. I never thought of the announcement as unnecessary, despite the fact that I had called to … Read More

Mistaken Identity

October 1, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

I had just checked into the Hotel Deauville in New York City, when I heard a knock on my door. I was an advertising art director for Famous-Barr department store and had flown in from St. Louis to oversee a fashion photo shoot. On occasion, other art directors were in … Read More

Gasoline Shenanigans

September 24, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

“They say gas is going up to $3.00,” my friend said to me, “but I haven’t seen it yet.” This was in late August; on August 25th, I had paid $2.49 per gallon in Indianapolis to fill my tank for a trip to see my friend’s new house in southern … Read More

Superb

September 17, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

On my morning walk to the convenient store to get a morning paper, I saw my neighbor sitting on her front porch. We always exchange greetings, and mine to her send her cats running. She asked how I was, and I said “great.” In response to my inquiry, she said … Read More

Rude Noises and Smells

September 10, 2015 | by CJ Woods III

I was on an airplane recently and all of the seats were filled, a profitable arrangement for the airline, but an overly cozy one for the passengers. It was while we were in this “cheek by jowl” condition that a man in a seat in front of me dipped his … Read More