Article Archives: Words with Woods

The Robin and the Sparrow

August 6, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

Robins began to build a nest in the elbow of the downspout at the corner of the house I rent. I would see them at work when I sat on the porch. They began construction sometime in late April. In February I went to a “Feathers and Fermentation” event hosted … Read More

Murder on the Hornet Express

July 30, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

The utility company worker climbed out of his truck after backing out of my driveway and raised his hand toward me and my granddaughter. “There’s a hornet’s nest right there,” he called out. “You keep that little girl away from here. Those hornets were giving this truck THE BUSINESS!” My … Read More

Kids Say Stuff

July 23, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

My youngest granddaughter came to me recently, holding a colorful plastic lei in her hands and with rising inflections on each word said, “Clop? Head?” As a well-schooled speaker of “Kid,” I correctly interpreted the two-year-old’s speech and placed the lei on my head. Myah has not been able to … Read More

Restraint

July 16, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

The man in the shower grew angrier as he lathered up, washing with a lice-eradicating medicinal soap. I stood in front of the open stall, my face turned away from his naked body. I was caught by surprise when the man came boiling out of the shower and plowed into … Read More

For The Love of the Earth

July 9, 2020 | by CJ Woods III

My current lessor bid me adieu after attending to some task at the house I lease by saying, “Thanks for taking care of the property.” The gesture was curious to me as I was merely knocking back the weeds and mowing the grass, for the most part. When I rented … Read More