CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Gardens

In late summer of 2021, I decided to plant tomatoes in an area of the back yard of the house that I rent. In the three years that I have lived in the house, I had not considered vegetable gardening. (I know: Tomatoes are both a fruit and a vegetable.) … Read More

A Good Night Out

My neighbor stopped by to invite me to join the neighborhood crime watch. She gave me a brief explanation of the nature of the organization, and I agreed to become a member. Shortly after her initial visit, she returned with a printed flier announcing a block party in conjunction with … Read More

Family Card Games

My grandson graduated from high school in June, and his sister graduated from eighth grade the following week. Xavion’s graduating class traveled to the Bahamas and his grandmother arranged to take Imani on the same trip. I went to New Jersey to see the two of them the first week … Read More

Heat Wave

No: It’s not about the 1963 hit song by Martha and the Vandellas. A walk about the neighborhood in the early afternoon is something that only the hardiest among us can safely undertake. It is hot outside. As I write this, the temperature in Indianapolis is 90 degrees. With the … Read More

Need For Speed

On a trip to the grocery store, I stopped at a light at the corner of Washington Street and Arlington Avenue. When the light turned green, I proceeded across the intersection. Behind me, I heard the full-throated roar of someone’s muscle car, the screech of tires as it banked around … Read More