Article Archives: Words with Woods

Butt Dialing

June 20, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

“Mom: Would you check on your father? He keeps calling me, but when I answer, he doesn’t say anything.” My eldest child called me while I was on my way to choir practice with the Irvington Arts Collective. I felt my butt buzzing as I walked across Ritter Avenue at … Read More

Oh, Holey Jeans

June 13, 2024 | by Weekly View

My neighbor stopped at my steps because I wanted to socialize with his dog. Audrey is a miniature dachshund and picky about the company she keeps. Should she deign to spend a moment with you, it would not insulate you from the possibility of an Audrey barkfest. I sat down … Read More

My Wilma Rudolph

June 6, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

My first daughter was telling me of my first granddaughter’s track and field endeavors. While we were on the phone, Lisa sent me an attachment showing 15-year-old Imani’s place in the lineup of a recent event. “Shot, Disc, Jav – Imani.” My granddaughter is flinging the shot, whipping the discus, … Read More

Hustling

May 23, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

The knock at my door was my neighbor, and when I answered, Karen Davis presented me with a bunch of lilacs that she had clipped from her bushes. As she was leaving my porch, she was hailed by another person. “Wait, wait,” the woman called out as she hurried across … Read More

Come To The Music

May 16, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

“What is this?” My youngest granddaughter tapped a folder in my bag. “My music,” I replied to Myah. We pulled out the binder and I opened it. “Sing something, Clop,” Myah asked of me. I chose one of the Post-it notes that I used to mark the songs and began … Read More