CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Tales From the Trail

On a relatively cool morning, I rose early and, assuming my “Charlie’s Angels” stance, did my yoga-like stretches in preparation for my walk on the Pennsy Trail. I try to do this daily, provided that the body is willing and the creek has not overflowed its banks. This day was … Read More

The Curious Case of the Barking Dogs

When I set off for my morning walk I am always curious about the reception I will receive from the neighborhood’s dogs. On the Pennsy Trail at Arlington, there are two dogs chained in an open yard, who are inconstant in their attentions toward me: sometimes they bark, other times … Read More

The Life of Turkeys

One day at dusk in Cedar Knolls, New Jersey, eleven turkeys came to the edge of a wood. A housing subdivision had been gouged out of the wood, but in there, among the trees, grasses and reeds, the animals still crouch, creep, crawl, gambol, flutter and step into and out … Read More

Hop-A-Long

Crossing a busy street, I got trapped in the center lane by the rush of cars on both sides of me. I waited in the middle, looking for opportunities to complete my passage. One car slowed, stopped; a man waved at me, inviting me to cross the street. Surprised, I … Read More

Twinkle

In the lobby of Community Hospital South, the sound of a familiar ringtone brought me up short. I looked around for the source, then told the two women at the information counter that I recognized “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” because it is the tone that I have assigned solely to … Read More