Need some help with StoryTelling Image

Folks -

Appreciate some guidance on technique. I wanted to create a tack sharp Story Telling image with this one and could not figure out how to focus. The Bryan Peterson book talks about manually focusing at 3 ft with the distance setting on the lens, or I've read about focusing 1/3 into the image. I feel like a dolt here, but I just cannot figure out what any of this means, especially when the lens is a foot off the ground.

Can any of you direct me to a post or explain a little more using this image. Thanks a ton,

ps - Next time I'll take a tripod cause 1/50 holding the camera sideways is probably my first error.

F22 @ 1/50 with ISO 400 in Av Mode

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This should help: http://www.dofmaster.c​om/hyperfocal.html

Thanks HaroldC3. That's what I was looking for.

Love the tree. Love the shot. I'd call it "Young and Old".