Article Archives: Words with Woods

Talking to the Young Trying to Understand

April 14, 2016 | by CJ Woods III

“Mother, mother/ there’s too many of you crying…” —Marvin Gaye, “What’s Going On.” On a young day in April, I spoke to a young lady, who asked me to tell her of my experience as a family member of someone in the Armed Forces. She is a student, studying Fine … Read More

All Dogs Go to Heaven

April 7, 2016 | by CJ Woods III

“I have some bad news about one of your animals.” I saw my Land People working on the front manse, preparing it for a new tenant, and I wanted to expedite the delivery of my own duty. When I approached them, The Lord of the Land was burnishing a light … Read More

April 1968

March 31, 2016 | by CJ Woods III

“I stand here ironing, and what you asked me moves tormented back and forth with the iron.” — Tillie Olsen; “I Stand Here Ironing.” I was standing at an ironing board, pressing the white smock I wore as an attendant at a psychiatric institution when my friends Gina and “Byrd” … Read More

Set His Boat on the Wide Water

March 17, 2016 | by CJ Woods III

A favorite author has died. Pat Conroy, whose works include many of the books I have read and own, died on March 4 after a short battle with pancreatic cancer. He died at age 70, an age close to my own, of a disease that claimed my good friend, Bill … Read More

Coffee, a Sandwich and Kindness

March 3, 2016 | by CJ Woods III

I walked into the coffee shop and stood at the counter, scanning the chalked menu. I asked the barista for an “Americano,” a beverage that I’d had before, and in a bright, challenging voice, she asked me, “How adventurous are you?” The challenge amused me, and when she finished listing … Read More