CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

The Itchy Season

December 4, 2014 | by CJ Woods III

My friend called me early one morning and we caught up on things while she cleaned her four bathrooms. When she got to the one she describes as “your bathroom” — I spend good chunks of time at her house, so the basement bedroom and bath are “mine” — she … Read More

Thanks

November 27, 2014 | by CJ Woods III

Some of the readers of this paper will be among those who have over-indulged, and are now emerging from a Thanksgiving food coma. I can remember my son Chris pulling at my arm as I lolled on the after-dinner couch, telling me to “Fight it! Fight L-Tryptophan!” Some others of … Read More

Joie de Vivre

November 20, 2014 | by CJ Woods III

(zhwaduh vee-vruh) French. 1. A delight in being alive; keen carefree enjoyment of living. I was walking along a beach in Clearwater Beach Florida, watching my friend Lisa as she examined the offerings from the ocean. It was not the first time that I have been on that march by … Read More

Iron Man

November 13, 2014 | by CJ Woods III

I filled the iron with water and turned the dial to “steam.” I spread my shirt out on the ironing board, smoothing the yoke over its point. I sprayed fabric finish onto the yoke and raised the iron above the board; when I heard the hiss of steam, I lowered … Read More

Thanks, Ben

November 6, 2014 | by CJ Woods III

I was on a sunny stroll down a street in my micro-hood when I saw a woman with a clipboard in front of me. As I passed her, she nodded and smiled at me, then ticked a box on the paper on the clipboard. That was when I heard a … Read More