Yeah, I know, it’s about time you acknowledge the best of the best, Stevie Wonder! Let’s begin with what I call my “Ebony and Ivory” moment, from the 2015 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies:
“I am standing there enjoying Bill Withers’ very witty and enjoyable acceptance speech. A glance to my left and there is Stevie, who inducted him. I look back over my shoulder and there is Sir Paul. I stood next to Paul McCartney, arguably one of the 5 most recognizable people on the planet, for the entire Withers tribute. During “Lean on Me” and the wonderful “Use Me”, I realize me and Sir Paul are both singing in full voice, swaying along with the music. So now I can go to my grave saying I performed a “duet” with Sir Paul. I knew the guy escorting McCartney and he told me that Sir Paul could not have been a friendlier and a more normal guy (except for the fact that his picture is taken literally every three seconds and he is, of course, Sir freakin’ Paul).”
I do this nod to Stevie because on the day referenced above, I was way more awed by being near Stevie than I was that other guy. Also, this song and now post title echoes many of my feelings, I Wish…fill in the blanks.
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
I wish those days could come back once more
Why did those days ever have to go?
'Cause I love them so
June 25, 2025 was a workday. But it was a girl afternoon/evening! Once I got home, I went about preparing myself for a smoothie (he doesn’t drink) with a new friend who also happens to run a very longtime website (since 2004) called Cool Cleveland. We have common interests in music, he a few years my senior. I wanted to meet with him for a few reasons. Any connection in town could lead to something. And I solicited his thoughts and opinions on this here blog. He was the gentleman who bought me a beer and invited me to sit with his wife and friends after the recent Parade the Circle. In about a millisecond, I fit right in and acted as if we all knew each other for years. Kinda cool…Cleveland!
He gave me a lot to think about as it relates to this blog. I am considering a few things; we’ll see where it takes me. I absolutely know the blog is much too cluttered with ads. But if I get rid of them, do I want to pay the freight? The proceeds from those ads has kept this mostly a breakeven operation, which I am fine with. But the ads bug me (and even logged as the admin here, I have to endure them). I also do 100% of this on a laptop. Most people consume things like this on a phone, which I guess I knew, but never thought about it that way. The phone read is much, much too cluttered with these ads, more so than on a laptop. [Update from when this was written: We have gotten rid of the significant majority of the ads. I am hopeful that means more eyeballs.]
This meeting was followed by a Plexus networking event and Pride winddown celebration. Nothing much to report there, I enjoyed myself as usual, but also realized, this lady is getting old! More and more young faces are at these events (great for the organization), so I am starting to struggle and find someone I can relate to in conversation.
I squeezed in this outing in the nick of time as not 12 hours later, I was ravaged by poison ivy. I only really had some on my wrist in these photos (hence the long sleeve sweater covering the band-aids covering a grotesque seeping wound). Always something… I did like the outfit.
Knowing my neighbors were out of town (I am watering their plants for them), I took advantage of a beautiful day on our new deck.
Then my only worry was for Christmas, what would be my toy?
Even though we sometimes would not get a thing
We were happy with the joy the day would bring
These archival pictures are from the aforementioned 2015 which happens to be the first year of the Kandi experience. And you don’t need to remind me how awful I look, but I was happy!
Originally posted on Facebook May 29, 2026.
As crossdressers, we usually look to makeup, wigs and clothes to feminize our appearance. Not often enough do we think about the more fundamental aspects of our appearance. What are you doing right now? What is the shape of your upper back? Where are your shoulders? Good posture is something you can and should work on at every moment of the day.
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6 Responses
Kandi,
I’m not sure if it helps my posture or not , well I accept I’m mid seventies but then that shouldn’t be an excuse . So how do I keep fit ? I attend two painting groups on Wednesdays and Fridays and also attend my local National Trust meetings twice a month . they all involve carrying and setting out tables and chairs . I joke to the others about not needing to go to a gym for a workout as I usually set most of them out before the others arrive . Why do I do it ? I like helping others , I like to contribute , it doesn’t do me any harm in fact it keeps me fit , besides someone has to do it when so many of my age group can’t or won’t .
😊
Kandi, I absolutely adore your sweater and long skirt outfit! Very much my style. The bow in the hair is a great finisher!
-Christina
How sweet!! Thank you dear.
Wearing heels all the time has done wonders for my posture. If you don’t stand up straight with 4 inch heels you fall over.
And Kandi, stop with the ‘old’ card; some of us are older than you.
And you can use the 2015 wedding dress picture as part of a ‘BEFORE’ and ‘AFTER’.
I know I am not the oldest person walking the planet, but it drives me now. A lifelong friend, much closer than family, a few years older than I, has cancer. I am not optimistic.
It’s hit me hard and it’s reshaped my mindset. While I speak a lot about my mortality, you do see me doing something about it, I am out ALL THE TIME. No one who isn’t full time is out and as visible than I am.
No one is more grounded in reality than me and Cali, I love you for being you! But I the truth is that I have fewer days left than days behind me.
Carpe diem.