CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

February 2025 Black History Month

February 6, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

When I was young, the flame of my desire to be an artist guttered and died in Los Angeles California. My bride and I had travelled across the country from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to LA, but I was unable to get a satisfactory position with the companies that I had adored … Read More

Honorific

January 30, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

“Noun. A title, phrase, or grammatical form conveying respect, used especially when addressing a social superior.” The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition. Several years ago, my then-new neighbor met my youngest granddaughter. Karen was walking her dogs and Myah, as is her wont, wanted to “pet that dog.” I … Read More

An Embarrassment of Winter

January 23, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

My neighbor pulled to a stop on the corner across from my residence, lowered the window on her car and called out to me, “Are you OK CJ?” She had just seen me execute a 6’ 1’’, 178-pound body drop onto the snow and ice. I reassured her that I … Read More

Thanks For Reading

January 16, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

My friend and I were sitting on stools at the counter of our favorite cidery, and we got into a conversation with the two people next to us. Paula Nicewanger (your paper’s Creative Director) and I have a standing date to spend Saturday afternoons at the cidery, but this was … Read More

Holiday Cookies

January 2, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

My doorbell rang on December 23, 2024, and as promised, my friend Mary Hannah Wilson “dropped off” something to me. The “something” was a gaily decorated tin with “Happy Holidays” on the lid. The Gingerbread Man joined with other cookies to surround a red cup with “Joy” written across the … Read More