Circle in the Sky

Thank goodness the state of Virginia doesn’t allow hunting on Sunday! Finally, Jack and Maggie and I were able to walk the farm without fear of being shot. I miss being able to walk when I want to—November and December are the best months for walking—but the danger is too great.

Most of Saturday, the armed and dangerous again encamped across from my driveway, except when they piled into the back of pickup trucks and, their guns pointed skyward, rode in a convoy down the road for a deer drive. For a while a carcass hung from the tree while its admirers sat in a semi-circle around it.

But today—Sunday—was nice. The sky was clear and bright; the air was warmer than it had been for a few days. I only needed a light jacket. Jack the old retriever and Maggie the young border collie were ready to go. Again, Maggie ran circles around Jack and me. Jack has to sit and rest every so often. Truth be told, I don’t mind at all having to stop and rest with him.

I was surprised how bare the trees were. Thursday's high winds have taken all the leaves. I could see far into the woods, so I could watch Maggie as she ran flat out up the hillsides. Then she’d vanish from my view and reappear in the opposite direction a few minutes later. I was further surprised when I looked up and saw a circle in the sky—as if Maggie had left a sky-trail.

In the evening, after I’d fed dogs and horses, I snapped a picture of the sunset. I didn’t see a circle when I took the picture.

But I see a circle now. Does a border collie run around the setting sun?