CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Fashion Intervention

One morning, I reached into the top drawer of one of my dressers and selected a black pair of extended leg boxer briefs; in the drawer below it, I picked out a gray t-shirt, which I paired with a gray Henley. I stood for a moment with the Henley and … Read More

The Circle Of Water

Some years ago, I went through a period of time when I had difficulty falling asleep. I did not seek medicinal remedies, but tried various relaxation techniques, mostly involving breathing exercises that I learned when taking Lamaze Prepared Childbirth classes with my first bride. After tossing and turning and breathing, … Read More

Thanks, Again

My brother, who is in a rehabilitation center in Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was scheduled to be released on November 23rd, and I made arrangements to go to Pittsburgh to prepare his apartment for his return, and to help him get in-home care as he continues to recover from surgery. I … Read More

Drawing Inspiration

“Do you mind,” the artist asked me, “if I draw you?” I was sitting at the counter of my favorite cidery, sipping pomegranate cider and listening to the live jazz being delivered by the Ortwein Jazztet. I declined her request because I am painfully shy… wait, you say? Not me? … Read More

Blue

One late night while trolling my antenna-limited TV channels, I came across a movie called Dark Blue, with Kurt Russell and (pre-meat merchant) Ving Rhames. The movie was in line with my previously declared obsession with police stories, which started with Steven Bochco’s Pittsburgh-influenced drama, Hill Street Blues. When visiting … Read More