CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

A Life With Books

July 3, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

A recent spate of yard sales in my neighborhood proved beneficial to me, but not in terms of the minor purchases I made. Someone on the street where I live put out a pallet piled with books, and as I strolled past the bounty, I saw a note: “Free.” I … Read More

Door To Door

June 27, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

In 1970, I traveled with my new bride 2,000 miles from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to Los Angeles California; I was going to pursue a career as artist. My time at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh was up, and I was going to seize the day. Walt Disney Studios was my most … Read More

Butt Dialing

June 20, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

“Mom: Would you check on your father? He keeps calling me, but when I answer, he doesn’t say anything.” My eldest child called me while I was on my way to choir practice with the Irvington Arts Collective. I felt my butt buzzing as I walked across Ritter Avenue at … Read More

My Wilma Rudolph

June 6, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

My first daughter was telling me of my first granddaughter’s track and field endeavors. While we were on the phone, Lisa sent me an attachment showing 15-year-old Imani’s place in the lineup of a recent event. “Shot, Disc, Jav – Imani.” My granddaughter is flinging the shot, whipping the discus, … Read More

Hustling

May 23, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

The knock at my door was my neighbor, and when I answered, Karen Davis presented me with a bunch of lilacs that she had clipped from her bushes. As she was leaving my porch, she was hailed by another person. “Wait, wait,” the woman called out as she hurried across … Read More