Wreaths Across America, The Moon Rise Swell, and
the First Sea Smoke morning of the Season.

Not sure how many of you out there, know who Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine is. Well simply put, Morrill has spent the last 25 years of his life driving to Arlington, VA to lay wreaths on the graves of America's fallen heroes. Think about that for a moment. Talk about a massive undertaking. This quiet, humble man, had been doing this without any fanfare since 1992. In 2005, the photo above went viral on the Internet. Next thing you knew, everyone wanted to help. And when I say everyone, I mean just that. All Across America.



Morrill Worcester (white baseball cap) and his wife Karin at Post 35
on Monday, December 12th, 2016.

I had the honor and privilege to meet this man in 2006 when they stopped at Post 35 in Hampton and laid a wreath at the base of our GWOT Monument.
I have never met such a peaceful and thoughtful human being before I met Morrill. He was so touched by our memorial Monument honoring the men from NH who have given their lives for our Freedom since 9-11-01.



As of 2016, there are 66 names engraved on our monument. Of all the things we (Post 35) accomplished when I was Commander for 13 years, it is this Monument, that I am most proud of.



So every year, Morrill and his entourage of volunteers, roll into Hampton on their way to Arlington, to place a wreath at our monument.

This year was extra special for me.

I escorted my dear departed, long time Marine friend, SSGT George Masten's daughter Lisa, to lay a wreath in his honor. George passed away in September, and I have missed him every single day since.



There is a gallery of this day in the Blog this week.

Merry Christmas George and as always, Semper Fi Marine.



I hope most of you got to see the Moon this week. I lucked out when I left the Wreath Ceremony, and drove down the street to see if there were any leftovers of the swell, that I had shot in the morning. There was, with the bonus of the sky lighting up and the coolest Moon rise.



I was telling my wife earlier today, that I felt more like a Natural Geographic photographer this week with all the nature pics I ended up shooting. from the moon rise swell to the Sea Smoke morning.



The recipe for Sea Smoke starts with temps like this. It reads 1 degree but if you throw the wind-chill factor into the mix, we're talking -20 below. And let me tell you, it was windy. Howling for my darling windy. But despite the cold, I crawled out of my warm bed and drove down the street.

And this is what I found.



Kind of looks like a nuclear blast huh? Gee, I shouldn't say shit like that with all the world problems we're facing these days, not to mention the Tangerine President Elect at the helm. But on this morning, Trump was the furthest thing from my mind.



I was way more concerned for my hands getting frost bite. Seriously. It was
so cold that my gloves did not help. Not enough anyway. I think I lasted a half hour. Then to make things worse, I went to drive off, and saw that my right
front tire went flat. DOH!

"Surfing, Wreaths Across America, Moon Rises, Sea Smoke, and Giving Joy To Those Who Need it, Heals All Wounds"

This week's pic from Ed's extensive gallery was shot on December 18th, 2013. Three years ago today. I chose this pic, because I have a gallery on the blog this week that reminded me of this day in 2013. The colors were eerily the same. Even the snow is the same. Any way, if you can hear or see us Ed, just want to wish you a Merry Christmas. I'm sure the Chinese restaurant that you and Kathy would always go to on Christmas day are missing you again this year.

To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Each week I will feature one of Ed's great pics from this blog. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
OK someone please tell me what the hell is going on in the NFL? The Steelers and the Seahawks can't be serious with those fricken uniforms. I mean Good Lord, what are they thinking?



Unless this is some kind of tactic to mess up their opponents,
get those damn things off.


These guys looked like glow sticks the other night. I could not watch it anymore. My eyes were going crazy. If the Patriots come out with some kind of hair brained uniforms I'm really going to lose it.

Here's an IMPORTANT MESSAGE from the Rowlee Family.



Dear Molly Fund supporters,

I can't believe we are coming up on the end of our 6th year of The Molly Fund! Your generosity over the years has been overwhelming. Together we have donated close to $350,000 to Dana Farber for families with children battling cancer! Your donations have helped people right in our own little community. 

But, we can do more.  We have decided that it is time to move all administration of The Fund to Dana Farber. IT WILL STAY THE SAME AS IT ALWAYS HAS BEEN, but now we won't have to pay for any expenses associated with running a non-profit (accounting services, board insurance and office supplies). 100% OF YOUR DONATIONS WILL NOW GO DIRECTLY TO FAMILIES. Dana Farber is a non-profit and your donation will still be tax deductible. They will send me notifications of donations so I can personally thank you, and send a sticker.

**Effective immediately, checks will now be made out to:
Dana Farber Cancer Institute with Molly Rowlee fund in the Memo line.
Mail to: Dana Farber Cancer Institute
Attn: Hannah Casill
Division of Development
10 Brookline Place West, FL 6
Brookline, MA 02245

With all our love, Meg and Buck Rowlee, Skip Brunette, Chuck White, and MP Broderick, the Molly Fund Board.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
It's that time of the year again kids. Ole Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer special will be running non stop all week long. And who among us could ever forget the Island Of Misfit Toys.
Wait a minute...is that? Oh No that dang KSM has somehow infiltrated into the crew of Misfits. He's going to give misfits a bad name. I just hope Santa stops by to pick up the real toys and leaves this piece of shit behind.



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 "Charlie In The Boxes"
at Home Depot this week.

RIP Alan Thicke.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tony Berardini December 24th, 2016!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jesus December 25th, 2016!
Prayers and positive thoughts to Erica Nardone's recovery.
CONGRATS TO GARY SMITH after serving in the USAF for 31 Years. I can't tell you how proud we are of Gary. A local surfer who really did something with his life. Look for a full story in upcoming weeks.
Prayers and positive thoughts to Martha Lardent's mother.



Looking for something to do on New Years Eve? How about this?




Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to
Ralph's Pic Of The Week every week for the last 11 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) "Casts a long lonely shadow" Bryan Ferry.
December 16th, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Ice Crater at 18th Street. December 16th, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) For Earth Below. Looking unworldly. December 16th, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Burning down the Wall. December 16th, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Steaming and hissing. December 16th, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Do not be fooled by the sun and blue sky. It is death out there. December 16th, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Seriously, what planet are we on? December 16th, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Here he is flying by and on his way to 18th Street. Ryan Jackson. December 12th, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) The moon stopped me dead in my tracks. It just came out of nowhere. December 12th, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Weston Rogers walking in the afternoon glow of the sun and moon. December 12th, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The Day Started Out Gray and Weird. Then The
Wind Switched. The Morning Of December 12th, 2016.
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Who cares if the sun is hiding behind the clouds. There's surf
and it's clean. December 12th, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Imagine getting a new board, and taking it out for the first time and having a photographer there wanting to get your first ride on that board. This guy had all of that and more. December 12th, 2016 Photos by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I think I got about four of his rides that morning. December 12th, 2016 Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The waves kept getting better. December 12th, 2016
Photos by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The style genes got passed down to junior. Kody Grondin keeping
it in the family. December 14th, 2016 Photos by MAX
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The end of the day, and the start of the night.
December 14th, 2016 Photos by MAX
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The problem with empty waves is you don't really know what size you're looking at. This pic gives you a better perspective of what it was
really like. December 12th, 2016 Photos by Maureen McNamara
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery