There are moments in my life that will cause me to stop and appreciate what I have. Like getting a thank you card from one of the girls in my movie that was hand drawn. It just make my day. And if that wasn't good enough, how about getting two hand drawn thank you cards within a few days of each other?
Well, I'll tell you, that's pretty damn special.
And it's ironic that I got them this week because this also happens to be the week, where I start the Call for My 14th annual SURF ART Blog. Looking at these two Thank you cards from the Nardone girls warms my heart. This my friends, is SURF ART. No question about it.
Now, I'm not sure if Erica or Clara was the artist. But I like them both.
And yes, they will be featured in my SURF ART BLOG. So thank you girls.
Keep surfing. Keep playing music. And keep drawing surf art!
This is the art for the SURF ART Blog. And as you can see I've included one of the Nardone pieces. The main piece is the painting that I posted from last week. The gift from my longtime friend and fellow surfer, artist, and musician.
Mr Stan Chew. I'm still blown away by the painting.
It's hanging on the wall of surf art in our library. Nestled in among the
Vokey pieces
we gave the painting a front and center location. We love it.
So if you know of any surf artists, have them send me a digital file of their art.
OK class, raise your hand if you know what this pic is of. That's right,
It's The SURF RANCH. It's now world famous. And she sits about 100 miles inland in the Golden State of California. The "Surf Ranch" is known for it's perfect man made waves. And I do mean perfect. As in machine like perfection. You need a special invite to get to surf here. And our good friend and fellow NH Surfer, Dave "CROP" Cropper owner of Cinnamon Rainbows Surf Company just so happened to get that special invite. Twice now.
I saw this image (below) posted on social media from Cinnamon Rainbows and thought to my self, "I wonder who the lucky SOB is that I know who is getting to surf the Surf Ranch?" Check out the Surf report on the chalkboard.
Ha ha ha. The swell is running at 4-6' at 240 seconds! That's hilarious.
It's good to have a sense of humor.
So the pic below is Crop with the owner of the Surf Ranch. Yup, it's the GOAT himself. Kelly Slater 11 time world champion. Think about that for a second. 11 times world champion.
Crop getting to surf with Kelly is like someone getting to throw a football with Tom Brady. Or getting to play guitar with Jimi Hendrix. All of which would cause most of us to be a nervous wreck. I couldn't play catch with Tom Brady without making a complete fool of myself. And I couldn't play guitar with Hendrix without throwing up all over both of us. So I certainly couldn't justify surfing along side Kelly "Freaking " Slater.
But to know Crop is to love him. He has since 1983 met all of the main players in the surf world. And they all love him. Why? Because Crop is the real deal nice guy. I don't know of a single person who doesn't love the man. If anyone deserves to be at that Surf Ranch surfing with Kelly Slater I can't think of a better person, than Dave Cropper.
I posted a short video of one of Crop's rides in the Surf Ranch down in the video section. if you look closely you will see Kelly in the foreground watching his guests ride the most perfect waves in the world.
This is what I'm talking about. This my friends, is perfection.
Chasing Down Hurricane Chris from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.
You see that guy over there on the right? The guy with the guitar? Yeah, well that's my friend Johnny A. He's playing the song on this video. He's one of the best in the world. And...he's playing at the Tupelo hall in Derry, NH on
August 11th, 2018 at 8:00PM.
If you like what you hear on this video, you should join us on Saturday August 11th, 2018 too see Johnny A.
" Surfing and Music Heals All Wounds."
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This is an 8yr old photo of me that Ed shot one afternoon in March of 2010 when me and just a friend Gary Ritchie were out sharing waves. Ed just so happened to be there, and well, the rest is as they say "history." Thanks for this pic Ed. 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
So I recently posted a confession of sorts on social media. I have been as of late been posting some negative 45 stuff. And I figured I needed to explain to my many friends as to why. And the number one reason why I post what I post is because of this man.
Senator John McCain. US Senator and a US NAVY Veteran who served over 5 years in a North Vietnamese Prison. Read below.
For My Conservative Friends and Family.
I am sure that many of you have been scratching your heads, as to why I have turned on 45 with such negative energy. The answer my friends, is simple. Back in July of 2015 when he uttered those despicable words against John McCain, I was completely (and rightfully so) horrified. This is what he said.
“He’s not a war hero, he’s a war hero because he was captured.
I like people who were not captured OK, I hate to tell ya.”
This, from a man who received FIVE Draft deferment to get out of going to Vietnam. That’s right. FIVE DRAFT DEFERMENTS!
It was at that very moment, that I lost all respect for him. Saying those horrible words about Senator John McCain. A US NAVY veteran who spent 5 years in hell. Let me tell you something. The North Vietnamese were brutal to our POW's Barbaric is more like it. They were tortured and abused. For over five years. And he’s not a hero? I turned on 45, and never looked back.
I know John McCain. I worked with him on both of his campaigns. He’s an honest and humble man. (Unlike 45 who has no idea what humble means). Do you realize that McCain’s son, Jimmy McCain was a Marine Grunt in Iraq in 2004? You will hear Marines say that every Marine is a Rifleman. And while that may be true, not every Marine is a GRUNT. I met L/Cpl Jimmy McCain at one of the Pease Greeters flights in Portsmouth. I have photo of he and I together. His son was fighting in Iraq while he was the GOP nominee for president. What pray tell did 45’s sons do for our country? Peace Corps? Military? Civil service? Police? Fire Department? They did nothing.
And, I have been reaffirmed of my feelings ever since. The list is endless. For instance, the fact that many of my church going friends can defend a man, who cheated on his 3rd wife, 5 months after she gave birth to his son, with a porn star, is so hypocritical, it’s laughable.
Those of you, who are close to me, know of my family members roles, in the Intelligence service. For 45 to stand beside a sworn enemy of the United States of America, and claim that he believes him (Putin) over his intelligence agencies? That, my right leaning friends, is both traitorous, and treasonous. No matter how you try to spin that one, it’s true. Admit it.
“Would or wouldn’t” is a joke. We all know what he said. And we all know the inflection in his voice. And not just this time, but every time he makes one of his colossal snafus. He may fool some of you, but he’s not fooling the majority of our country, or the world.
I respect the Office of the Presidency, but not the man. I am a strong Independent. I no longer drink from the well of either party.
I drink from the well of truth. In other words, I will vote for the person, not the party. 45 won't get my vote in 2020. He never apologized about his awful words directed towards McCain.
All one has to do, is watch and listen to McCain's concession speech the night he lost to Obama.
Google it. Watch it. Listen to his words. And then try to imagine 45 trying to give a concession speech. It would be like night and day. 45 does not have the integrity, nor is he humble enough to say what John Said.
So my friends, this is my confession, as to why I despise 45.
It's a meme. John McCain would never stoop this low. But you have to admit, it's pretty funny.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
And so is this funny. These are actual people who have the misfortune of looking like these clowns. Poor KSM thought they were the real deal. Man he's one dumb ass terrorist.
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 Halloween masks
at Home Depot this week.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Judith Rastl July 23rd, 2018!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tami Heide July 23rd, 2018!
HAPPY 29th Wedding Anniversary Kevin and Kim Grondin
July 23rd, 2018!
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 11th ANNUAL HIT THE BEACH is set for the last Friday in August. So mark your calendars. Friday August 31st, 2018.
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.
Johnny A is old friend of mine. He's also one of the most talented and innovative guitarists on the planet. I can't tell you all enough just how good he is. But those of you who know me know that I don't say things like this about anyone unless it's true. Trust me. JOHNNY A is great!
CLICK ON THE IMAGE to BUY Tix. I'll be there.
Remember
my friends... Surfing Heals All Wounds.
Pray for Surf. Pray for Peace. Surf For Fun.
Ralph
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