I'm going to miss this wonderful woman. She was and will always be a woman of class and dignity. Let's face it, we have not seen a "First Family" quite like the Bush family in quite sometime. Can't really say the same for the current First Family. Nope, not even close. The Bush family is a true end of an era.



She was the true Matriarch of this large and tight-knit family. There are no words that I can add that have not already been said about this woman.
Though, I really like what Bill Clinton said of her "I'd walk across hot coals for Barbara Bush." That's pretty solid kudos for another human being, especially from the other party. Barack Obama said "Barbara Bush was the Rock of a family dedicated to public service and our thoughts and prayers are with both presidents Bush and the entire Bush family."

Barack and Michelle Obama along with Bill and Hillary Clinton were in attendance at her service in Texas. Melania Trump was also present. The current president opted to stay away to "avoid any distractions." Good move Donald, the Bush family are not big fans of yours.



George and Barbara have been married for 73 years. That's incredible. The reason she said she was attracted to George was "he made me laugh" I had to smile when I read that. Because, I do the same with my wife. That should be a hint to all of you who want your marriage to last. Make them laugh



Rest In Peace Mrs Barbara Bush. Rest in internal peace.



The moment this man stepped onto the screen in the movie FULL METAL JACKET I leaned over to my wife and said "There's NO WAY this guy is a Hollywood actor. He's the REAL DEAL!" Turns out I was right. R. Lee Ermey was a Drill Instructor in the Marine Corps. He was also a Purple Heart recipient during the Vietnam war. But ask any Vietnam Era Marine who saw Full Metal Jacket what they though of Emery and they will tell you the same.
He was like every single Drill Instructor during those turbulent times.

This was back in the day when they were (sort of) allowed to hit and punch you on a regular basis. My senior Drill Instructor used to punch me in the gut everyday after asking me if I was "Eye-talian" . I wanted to stop him and say "Didn't you just ask me this same question the last 10 days?" Of course I didn't. I took the punches and the blows and the humiliation like every other recruit did.



Ermey died of complications with pneumonia. He was 74 years old.

I won't ever forget that opening scene. The second half of that movie flat out SUCKED! Vietnam was NOTHING like what Stanley Kubrick presented in the second half of the movie. Not even close Stanley. But that first half of Marine Corps Boot Camp? A PLUS! Spot on in the book of accuracy.



REST IN PEACE GUNNY. And as always, SEMPER FI Marine.

The local SURF TRIBE recognized one of our own yesterday.
Kevin "Doc" Grondin who was recently inducted into the East Coast Hall Of Surfing Fame was given a little surprise party on Saturday.



I gave him this photo (below) of a sequence that he got on Tuesday April 17th, 2018. Keep in mind, Kevin is 61 years old. And this barrel? Well, if half the kids his age ever got a barrel like this it would be their best wave ever. But this is the norm for this man. I know this, because I've been shooting him
since the early 70's.

Click on this image to see the larger size.




As long as Kevin keeps paddling out into significant surf, I will be there shooting on the shore and capturing his every move. Keep paddling brother. Keep paddling.

" Surfing In The Hall Of Fame Heals All Wounds."

This is one of my all time favorite Ed O'Connell pics. Because I have an entire empty wave gallery this week I thought it would be appropriate to post this from May 30th, 2012. This pic was my constant about joking with Ed about how I can never top this. And you know what? I can't. This pic is beautiful in so many ways.
Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Now for Some Local, National and International News
If the news wasn't already sad enough this week, it got sadder for those of us who loved Gill Santos. This man was the VOICE of The NEW ENGLAND Patriots. His commentary was the absolute best. There was nobody like him. To hear his voice describing the Kick that won the Patriots First Super Bowl is one for the ages.

Google that clip and listen to it. It's classic.



The fans loved him and he loved them. Gill Santos will be missed by those of us who could not get enough of his voice. In fact, when the games were broadcast on TV, most of the fans would shut off the volume and turn up the radio to hear Gill and Gino.

It didn't matter if the TV and the Radio were not synced up, Gino just knew 1000% than those boneheads on TV.



The Krafts loved them both. Bob Kraft, Gill Santos, Gino Cappelletti, and Jonathan Kraft presenting Gino and Gill with super Bowl balls.



Gill Santos and Gino Cappelletti were two Icons in our little slice of the NFL world. And speaking of which, our world will be a lot less colorful with Gill Santos gone. REST IN PEACE Gill.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Trump's lawyer Michael Cohen and Sean Hannity meeting behind closed doors with "would ya look at that!" KSM. Ah-ha! I had a feeling something was up with those two. Now I know for sure.



So my friends, please take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths
of 3,000 innocent civilians by KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self -must pick up a case of "Collusion Laws Books"
at Home Depot this week.

GET WELL SOON Jon Gozzo!
GET WELL JoEllen Bunton!
REST IN PEACE Charles Crawford
CONGRATS to Gabby Fatello on the birth of her
daughter Raylyne Noelle!

FYI Lenny Nichols is looking for someone or someones to take
over the ESA-NNE District. Please contact Lenny Nichols by calling his cell (603) 944-2418

THE NEW GRANITE GIRLS poster! Shooting for a May Day premiere and a Summer DVD release.






Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 13 years.
** BUY a HIGH RES Photo from any of the weeks on RPOTW.

Remember my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.

Ralph

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) I love watching the texture of a wave when the wind is whipping.
TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Check out that warped little peak on the inside.
TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) You could hear this thing hissing in the wind.
TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) Short but sweet. TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018.
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) The unridden realm was calling for volunteers.
TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The beach breaks were hissing in the wind.
TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) They would rise up on the sandbar and just heave itself over the ledge. TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Video Frame Grabs of The TAX DAY Swell
Tuesday April 17th, 2018. Video Frame grabs by RALPH

(Above) Kevin Grondin from a very long insane sequence.
TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. VFG by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Kevin Grondin Stand up barrel. TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. VFG by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Ryan McGill way back on a beautiful tapered left.
TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. VFG by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Rusty rider in a cool hand Luke pose.
TAX DAY Tuesday April 17th, 2018. VFG by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The DAY AFTER. Wednesday April 18th, 2018.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Unknown rider. April 18th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery







(Above) Baja can be really good if you time it right. April, 2018.
Photo by Brennan Natoli *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery