Article Archives: Words with Woods

Teen Storm

February 1, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

My first granddaughter was thumping and thundering around in the background as I spoke to her mother on the phone. Imani was packing for a retreat that she was to attend that weekend but halted her preparations when she overheard her mother give me important “teen-formation” about her brother. “What! … Read More

Whizzing

January 25, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

My column “Water Works” (Weekly View, January 5, 2024) produced at least one chuckle, and that chuckler suggested that I continue the theme for a few more columns. False modesty demanded that I decry the thought: “No, no,” I cried, and sat down to write. When my first child was … Read More

It’s Drying Time

January 18, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

“I hope you find someone,” my daughter was saying to her son as she applied a coat of moisturizing lotion to his shoulders, “who cares enough about you” (slather, slather) “to put lotion on your back.” She punctuated “back” with a slap and pushed him on his way. I can … Read More

A Comfort With Books

January 11, 2024 | by CJ Woods III

One of the gifts that my youngest granddaughter got for Christmas was a book. I was at her house when she awakened to find that Pollie, her Elf, had given Santa a good report and Santa had delivered on many of Myah’s wishes. Of course, Clop (me) and Auntie Lisa … Read More

Merry, Happy, Happy and Kind

December 21, 2023 | by CJ Woods III

Comes the time that we turn the last page on the calendar, and we sing songs, and cry out to each other: “Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New year.” As someone who grew up with a church-oriented mother, my go-to holiday phrase has been “Merry Christmas.” But I take … Read More