CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

A Black History Story

February 1, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

In September, 1944, The Franklin Times published an obituary on its front page for a printer who, after moving from Noblesville, Indiana, died while employed as a pressman for the newspaper. Fred Hord’s long service to the paper was written in a respectful and complimentary way, and I cannot help … Read More

Buckle Up

January 25, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

A TV commercial I saw recently showed a man sitting at the wheel of his car in a dreamlike state; in the rear seats, a storm of fun surrounds some children. The man is pelted by chips and Cheetos, and he sits, still and unmoving, until something important happens: the … Read More

The Stranger’s Face

January 18, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

My young son rode with me on an elevator from my 11th floor apartment down to the lobby. His sister was in the car with us, as was a woman — presumably another tenant of the building. As we four rode in silence, I glanced at my son; he was … Read More

Peace. Love. Understanding.

January 11, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

On April 4th, 1968, I was ironing my work uniform in the apartment of two friends when they told me that Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., had been shot. The city of Pittsburgh — my home town — erupted in a destructive rage that my current home — Indianapolis — … Read More

The Reading is Fun Club

January 4, 2018 | by CJ Woods III

In the Dog Days edition of the popular children’s book series, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Jeff Kinney’s young hero, Greg Heffley, gets into mischief with his friend, Rowley, after watching a cheesy horror movie found in his brother’s possessions. Greg’s mother becomes cross: “Mom lectured me about how boys … Read More