  First school day off in over a month. And I know I'll be working at least the next 6 days. It was a beautiful day to be off.
If I had to work in tobacco, today would be the day. Of course, the beginning of tobacco season means another year of me doing the farmwork that I love to hate so much. "Stand here and hold this. Wait. Let's take a 30-minute snack break after our hearty 1-hour lunch. " So not exciting. It wouldn't be nearly as bad, though, if Dad weren't so critical of me. As far as he's concerned, I'm incompetent when it comes to any type of manual labor. And I'm expected to know exactly what he means by a gesture or instructions shouted from 30 feet away over a tractor engine. I know I'm not the perfect little farmboy he always wanted. All I expect is a little patience. Either that or don't expect me to help. 
