Article Archives: Words with Woods

Turn It Off and On

March 30, 2017 | by CJ Woods III

Two broadcasters of an NCAA basketball game were trying to fill the space created by a lapse in action caused by the malfunctions of the game’s shot clock. As the officials worked to restore the proper functioning of the clock, one of the broadcasters, growing short on comedic material, said … Read More

The Gifts We Sow

March 23, 2017 | by CJ Woods III

“What was that song you taught the kids?” There was amusement in the mother’s voice. I couldn’t remember the song I had taught Jack and Gaby Kiehl, some fourteen or fifteen years ago, but Julie must have been reminded of it after seeing me scrambling on the floor and through … Read More

Fake News

March 16, 2017 | by CJ Woods III

In 1997, the artist Bob Cassilly, along with his wife Gail, opened a museum near downtown St. Louis, MO. I could see the building that housed the museum, or more specifically, the hippopotamus perched on the top floor of it, when I walked out of the front door of my … Read More

Public Speaking

March 9, 2017 | by CJ Woods III

The University of Washington offers “Introduction to Public Speaking” as the first in a four-part course in “Dynamic Public Speaking Specialization.” I found this offering online as I was browsing for information about public speaking. No one who has known me for more than twelve minutes would think that I … Read More

The Skinny on Swimming

March 2, 2017 | by CJ Woods III

On June 17th, 1994, television viewers in this country were glued to their sets, watching a slow-motion drama: In Los Angeles, California, OJ Simpson, in the back seat of his friend’s white Bronco, was slow-rolling his way into history. On that same night, in a bar in the South Beach … Read More