"Looks like it's going to be nice day." Fritz von Uhde seems to have thought through this painting — notice how careful he is about details. The painting is filled with bright morning light. The water in the drainage ditch is reflective of the sky. There's a dirt path that has been worn down (the woman hasn't yet stepped onto it) with low-growing field flowers on either side.
The fellow on the other side with the haying rake over his shoulder might be just another field hand, but I suspect he's the woman's husband — has he got his lunch pail in his right hand and some kind of carafe or bottle strapped to his back? He'll likely be out in the fields all day. And they're big fields aren't they; the forested horizon is way off in the distance.
This woman is ready for the day as well — her hair is pinned up, she has a spring in her step. There's a slight breeze moving her apron. We're able to see sunlight through the thin fabric. She carries two big watering cans that will be very heavy when they're filled. Is she going to lug water all day?
And you and I have begun a new day as well. Here's my morning prayer...
O God, who keeps watch through the night,
you have brought me to a new day.
Oh, that I would be at once aware of
and grateful for its gifts —
the water, the breath, the tea,
the bread,
the light,
this moment of prayer,
the nearby presence of dear ones,
if even my pets.
But joy is fleeting,
and I know myself,
asking please to keep despair far away,
and its siblings
of grumbling-dissatisfaction,
dread and anxious predicting,
negativity and waste.
Let me see what surprise there is in today —
something new of Christ
to strengthen my heart,
returning gently through the hours
with sighs of love and thanks.
