Pride in Workmanship

I remember once that I had wanted to help dad with the planting. I was around 30 years old. I think he had about 10 billion tomato plants... He explained the process to me. After the ground is wet start at the top of the row. With one hand make a pocket in the dirt and with the other put the plant in the pocket. then let the dirt fall in around it and then take both hands and settle the plant in its place. Step straight back about 18 inches and do the same thing. So... we were off. He finished his row in the same time that I finished about a quarter of a row. I was bustin my butt trying to keep pace. He took a break and then started another row. I strengthened my resolve to not let him get another one in before I finished. He planted that row and I still was not finished with my 1st row. I think that he planted 3 rows, took breaks and managed the water in the mean time. Well, After I finished my row I stopped to examine my work. ... Hide my head in shame...Did he say step straight back? Mine row looked like the crooked mans row. He just looked at my row and shook his head. " I could hear in my mind, "I taught you all I know and you still don't know nothing", Then he said "pay attention!" He walked to the top of my row and in short order replanted my row. I later learned that this attention to detail would help him when he started weeding. If, using his limited vision, he could count on where the plants were he was not likely to hoe them away. He used the shadows of the plants in the early morning and late afternoon light.
Dad had always said "If you're going to do a job do it right." I had heard it many times before that day but that particular day that lesson stuck .