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My dad turned 75 today (Sept. 1).
His hair is white and he had a pacemaker placed in his chest in May, but he’s still the strongest man I know. Or, as he told me during an argument we had a few years ago, “I can still take you out.” He was right when he said it and he still can.
Dad has been a diesel mechanic since he was 17, though he sold heavy equipment in Missouri for a few years in the mid-1970s. He has retired a couple of times in recent years. He closed his shop at Sweet Home about 10 years ago, but he continued to rent out his services as a shop foreman for others.
Then he tried retirement again a couple of years ago, but he kept getting offers from old customers to “just come by and help out.” When the doctor strongly suggested early this year that some dizzy spells he had while driving indicated that he needed a pacemaker to help his heart, Dad resisted for a while — he thought it might keep him from working. But a third round of dizziness convinced him the device was necessary, so he had to done.
In the process of “taking it easy” during recovery, Dad has increased his interest in auctions. He used to look for equipment and various tools by attending estate sales and similar events. Early this year he sold off his service truck and some of his tools at an auction, but came home with a new pickup and other tools. Now he helps a man who puts on auctions get ready for them.
When he’s at home, he spends his time in his workshop, on a riding lawn mower or out back “checking the garden.” He’s also learning to make stained glass.
Mom may have realized by now that he’s not really going to retire. Or maybe she just keeps giving him a list of things to do so he will keep working. He would have no idea what to do with himself if he had to just sit in his recliner.
Polling experts say that families who have dumped their phone land lines and gone totally cellular in telephone usage are more difficult to read or reach.
My wife and I having become one of those families in the past year, I’m curious to see what that trend does to political polling.
The industry likes to say that pollsters can do a better job of predicting outcomes than ever before, but surprises in high-profile races during the past decade or so — presidential and otherwise — would make one wonder if such claims are part of a smoke screen.
If increased usage of cell phones is a reason, I’m willing to listen, but let’s see some results first.
It does make one wonder. What about all the assumptions by columnists and other pundits that Arkansas, after years of being a Republican-leaning state at the national level and in the Democratic column at the state and local levels, is about to become a bright shade of red by going almost totally Republican? Is such a conclusion a bit premature?
We’ll find out in about nine weeks on Election Day.
Mike Dougherty's Blog 