CJ Woods III’s Story Archive

Happy Valentine’s Day

February 13, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

My shallow dive into the origin of the celebration called “Valentine’s Day” produced no concrete and irrefutable origin for the February 14th event that many people in this country celebrate, though there were many theories. Still, we conscript Cupid into our service, asking him to “draw back (his) bow” and … Read More

February 2025 Black History Month

February 6, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

When I was young, the flame of my desire to be an artist guttered and died in Los Angeles California. My bride and I had travelled across the country from Pittsburgh Pennsylvania to LA, but I was unable to get a satisfactory position with the companies that I had adored … Read More

Honorific

January 30, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

“Noun. A title, phrase, or grammatical form conveying respect, used especially when addressing a social superior.” The American Heritage Dictionary, Second College Edition. Several years ago, my then-new neighbor met my youngest granddaughter. Karen was walking her dogs and Myah, as is her wont, wanted to “pet that dog.” I … Read More

An Embarrassment of Winter

January 23, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

My neighbor pulled to a stop on the corner across from my residence, lowered the window on her car and called out to me, “Are you OK CJ?” She had just seen me execute a 6’ 1’’, 178-pound body drop onto the snow and ice. I reassured her that I … Read More

Thanks For Reading

January 16, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

My friend and I were sitting on stools at the counter of our favorite cidery, and we got into a conversation with the two people next to us. Paula Nicewanger (your paper’s Creative Director) and I have a standing date to spend Saturday afternoons at the cidery, but this was … Read More