Article Archives: Words with Woods

Nest Trilogy

May 22, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

This column first appeared in the July 22, 2016 issue. A robin blasted past my head when I neared my mailbox, landed on a branch of a nearby tree and directed a series of complaints at me. It was late in May, and I realized that I had been strafed … Read More

Harmony Collected

May 15, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

On Sunday, May 18th, the Irvington Arts Collective will present a concert by the Harmony Collected Community Choir. I have written about my participation in this community choir, and for those following along, I will once again be one of the tenor voices in our presentation of “Community In Song: … Read More

Stepping Out

May 8, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

Two of my friends from the Irvington Community Chorus drove past me as I stepped down Ritter Avenue toward our practice session at the Irvington Presbyterian Church. Both Terri and Joyce have graced me with rides home from our Monday evening practices, but I have made it clear that I … Read More

Conversations From The Tavern

May 1, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

“CJ!” the woman cried out as she entered the coffee shop. I raised my head from the blueberry muffin I was eating and looked at her. She laughed, watched the expression on my face as I worked through recognition possibilities. It did not take me long to land on “Autumn!” … Read More

Mixed

April 24, 2025 | by CJ Woods III

A social media post got a response that triggered me. The poster was looking for qualified hair care for a granddaughter that she identified as having both African American and white heritage. A respondent claimed that she was also, “mixed.” I remembered hearing that term when I showed the server … Read More