CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Master of the Language

September 6, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

My eldest daughter and my son-in-love used to play late night Scrabble. I called it “late night” because the fun only began once the kids were down. Lisa and Bing would break out the board and distribute the letters and invariably get into squabbles about what was a “real” word. … Read More

Draft Dodger

August 30, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

My daughter quietly said to me once, “I’m glad you didn’t have to go.” I don’t remember the conversation that generated that comment, but she was glad that I did not have to go to war in Vietnam. I think of her sentiment when I hear the term “draft dodger” … Read More

Orange Cat Pencil

August 23, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

“I’m going to give you three words,” said the nurse practitioner, “and then we’re going to talk about some other things.” My United Healthcare “House Calls” visit had been well under way when Elaine gave me the start to the dreaded memory test. Lately, words have been escaping the corral; … Read More

I Am Not Who I Think I Am

August 16, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

In the tasting room of my favorite cidery, I like to sit in a particular place. When I enter the room, I immediately head for a corner where the L-shaped bar meets a wall. I think of this corner as “my place,” and I am greeted and treated well by … Read More

The Beast Within

August 9, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

“Are you sure?” My daughter’s response to my offer of help was typical of the way in which she responds to any gratuitous offer of help from me: She questioned whether I was sure that I wanted to do what I had told her that I would do. I ran … Read More