Dear Reader:
Traveling vicariously does have its benefits. It’s free! (Quite cost-effective) Stress-free (No panic attacks over the location of your passport, or waiting in long lines, or going through customs, learning to drive on the other side of the road, swerving for cattle or sheep, figuring out money exchange, etc.) And most of all…feeling happy for your friends and/or loved ones who are doing all that…experiencing a new country and culture ‘upclose and personal’…while having a ball!
I can hardly wait for the photos to arrive each day from the “Dingle 5” and they did… yesterday afternoon. The first thing I noticed (in the photos) was that the sun was finally out, a beautiful day, which only enhanced (if possible) the beauty of the Emerald Isle.
The scenes take one’s breath away…since I have been lucky enough to have traveled to Ireland (in 2014) I know how much more beautiful it is just being there…when all five senses are on elevated ‘alert’…one is seeing, hearing, touching, tasting, and smelling (still remember that delicious fresh smell of Ireland) everything around him/her.
The photos yesterday are a study in pastoral living. Pastoral can be defined in different ways but in the larger context…it all pertains to the same theme.
Pastoral:
1. having the simplicity, charm, serenity, or other characteristics generally attributed to rural areas:
pastoral scenery; the pastoral life.
2.
pertaining to the country or to life in the country;rural; rustic.
3.
portraying or suggesting idyllically the life of shepherds or of the country, as a work of literature, art, or music:
pastoral poetry; a pastoral symphony.
4.
of, relating to, or consisting of shepherds.
5.
of or relating to or the duties of a pastor
I think I love the word ‘pastoral’ for all of the above definitions…it does conjure up thoughts of simplicity, charm, serenity, calmness, and caring for others.
For me…the most important aspect of a minister or preacher’s expectations is that of being the pastoral leader...the caregiver to his ‘flock’… the person one wants to talk to first in a crisis or to first to share joys. (*I am so blessed to have a most wonderful, minister, preacher, and pastor all rolled up into one…Jeff Kackley!)
In today’s growing urban society we all have to try harder, I believe, to find that special pastoral way of life…that place where we can retreat to, relax, and take time to appreciate all the gifts God has given us. Tomorrow I am heading to one such place…Edisto Beach! It is time for the Ya’s early summer retreat. The front porch at “Rest in Peace” is calling…
There is no way to share all the photos but hopefully this will give you a hint at some of the pastoral landscapes the ‘Dingle 5’ are experiencing.
After some pastoral thoughts and musings…it was time to see what is happening in Dingle and around the town for fun. Yesterday I mentioned that May 4 was proclaimed Star Wars Day (obviously internationally) but I discovered another reason why there is so much fun going on with the Star Wars production…part of several Star War films (including the latest) were filmed in Dingle….Go Dingle!
*Here is a very short link to the connection between Dingle and the Star Wars productions. *Mark Hamill just recently stayed in Dingle
Star Wars in Dingle – Brian de Staic
(Picture of the movie set in Dingle for Star Wars)
It has actually been Hollywood that brought Dingle, Ireland and its unique beauty to the world’s attention starting back in the early seventies with the production of the movie Ryan’s Daughter (starring Robert Mitchum, Sara Miles, and John 
Mills)
* It was filmed on the beach between Slea Head and Dunmore Head where the ‘Dingle 5’ were yesterday. * The Last Jedi also shot scenes there.
In the 90’s Hollywood returned again with the production of Far and Away starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman…who would marry and honeymoon in Dingle.
So until tomorrow…It is exciting to wake up each day and wonder what the new day brings to me and those I love…a sea away…but we are all living together in God’s creation here on earth…a nice thought…home is home is home. Temporary perhaps but still home.
“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh
Today. May 6, is someone’s anniversary. Tommy and Kaitlyn (or as Ambika named the couple Tomlyn!) Please go out and celebrate it to its fullest today…it was a marvelous day a year ago and now another one. You went from Ireland to Ireland…pastoral living at its best.
Since I will be at this beach this week until Friday the 11th…the blogs will be smaller…just a little check-in with a small, simple thought each day until my return. I will catch you up with Ireland highlights then, also, upon my return . In the meantime…I am planning on relaxing with old friends…the best kind.
ichaseferalcats
John Turner
Legally Ohm
Becky Dingle
Ireland is so beautiful. Enjoy your time with friends. You are so blessed to have them. I envy you those Ya-Ya’s.
Believe me…we all know how blessed we are. Not everyone is so lucky to be able to share their lives with friends who have known us since we were 18.
Do have a great time…like we need to remind you.Haha