CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

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

Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy

December 21, 2017 | by CJ Woods III

When my grandson graduated from 5th grade, his school continued with a tradition unique to that building: parents and friends were encouraged to gather in front of the school to “clap out” the students. I was there in 2015 when Xavion marched with his classmates between a balloon-strung line of … Read More