CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

February Is Black History Month

February 2, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

In 1976, President Gerald Ford called upon the American public to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Every American president since then has recognized the month, now more commonly called “African-American History Month.” Gerald Ford’s proclamation was an official recognition … Read More

Neighborhood Poetry

January 26, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

On January 12th of this new year, one of the members of the neighborhood community page to which I belong started a trend on the social media site. She challenged the other members of the page to help dispel the winter blahs by writing a haiku. (Editor’s note: a haiku … Read More

My Left Sock

January 19, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

My morning sifting of socks turned up a pair that I judged to be suited for my entrance into the world. Many men make sock choosing simple by stocking up on black, brown, or gray. For athletic wear, they like white socks, and they just can’t lie. But I am … Read More

Imagination

January 12, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

“Clop: What is he imagining?” My four-year-old granddaughter handed me a card she had found in the debris of my house. The card depicted a man on a roof, holding a shovel; the man was looking at clods of reindeer excrement. In the original card, which I had designed for … Read More

Jump, Hop and Pop

January 5, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

When I visited three friends in Ohio, I stayed overnight with one of them, helping her to unpack her storage pod and move into her new house. That evening, she told me to hop into the shower; I declined, stating that I was a “morning shower” person. I did not … Read More