World famous photographer Robert Capa captures US ARMY Troops storming the beaches on Omaha Beach in Normandy France on June 6th, 1944. This past week the world stopped to pause and remember the sacrifices of so many Americans and her allies on the 75th Anniversary of D-DAY. Over 2,000 Americans died that day during Operation Overlord. They died on the beaches, and jumping out of planes behind enemy lines, and they died in those gliders. This masive allied invasion was the beginning of the end for Hitler and The Third Reich.
They said that the most graphic footage and stills of the battle was lost on one of the landing crafts as it was ferrying wounded troops back out to the ships. The craft sunk with all the film cannisters of both motion pictures and still shots. Lost forever at the bottom of the ocean floor. The water damage alone would have ruined the film. Word has it, that had the world seen this footage, they would have been horrified. It was that gruesome.
The carnage on the beaches that day was one for the ages.
The late Dwight D. Eisenhower said on the 20th Anniversary of D-Day,
"America and her allies stormed the Normandy Beaches in France for
ONE PURPOSE ONLY. It was NOT to Fulfill any ambitions that America had for conquest. No, it was just to Preserve Freedom, and Systems of Self Goverment In The World." And they did just that.
God Bless America and her allies who fought and died that day.
OK so on Tuesday
June 4th, 2019 I was out running my dog Patch (a German Shorthair) out in the woods and the fields about 20 minutes from my home. For the record, I run Patch on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. I'll walk between 3 to 5 miles each time. And Patch will run at full speed about 10 to 15 miles each time. It's all part of our training regiment. I do my Marine Corps Push Ups on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. How many do I do? Well, I'm glad you asked. I do 500 pushups in a one hour time slot. In other words, I do 500 on Monday, 500 on Wednesday, and 500 on Friday. For a grand total of 1,500 pushups a week and 10 to 15 miles a week.
Wait where was I? Oh yeah...I remember. back to the story.
Everything was normal on Tuesday until I came across this little scene.
Yeah it is what you think it is. Some kind of Satan worshipping altar.
It took me a few mintues to take it all in. I wasn't at all frightened, but I have to admit, I was curious as to who, why, and when this
all took place. Now it's important to know that I have been out in these woods many many times over the last 30 plus years, and I have never ever encountered anything quite like this. My first thoughts was that it was kids. Or college kids doing some kind of film project. It's possible. UNH is only 20 minutes away from this location.
I posted this on social media and it went viral.
Someone pointed out that there's a Inverted Pentagram in the photo. According to a chart that someone posted, The INVERTED PENTAGRAM The five pointed star
when inverted is associated with 'Black" Witchcraft and Satanism. It symbolizes the goat's head which represents Satan (as on the cover of the Satanic bible). The two points signify the horns of baphomet and the three points down represent the trinity. It is also the reverse of the straight Pentagram as it signifies contempt for traditional spiritual and occult values.
I should tell you that the week before I found this, I came up on a elderly man with a thick head of silver hair and a mustache. He was standing on the same path (near the altar) next to his vehicle, that he had just backed up on this trail. He was startled by me being there. I waved to him and he waved back, but went running back to his vehcile. I called Patch in and we simply reversed directions and walked back down the trail. I never got close to the altar that day. I never saw it. And on this day (June 4th, 2019) I had pulled into the parking spaces allotted for those who want to hike in the woods. And, I was the only vehicle there.
I let Patch out
of his crate and we began our usual walk. At one point I thought I saw a flock of turkeys. But as I got closer I saw that it was a woman pushing a baby carriage. I was walking in the direction that she was walking so it was only a matter of time before I caught up to her. Patch was up in front of me about a 100 yards when I heard her yell. I quickened my pace and got to her just in case there was something wrong. When I came out of the field, I saw this elderly woman with jet black hair holding a small toddler.
A little boy approximately 10 months old.
As I got closer, I saw that she had a white streak of hair about 2 inches wide going across her black hair. She saw me and said "The reason I yelled to you was because, last week I got bit by a dog out here." I told her "Unless you have feathers and can fly, my dog wants nothing to do with you, or the baby." And just as I finish saying that, Patch comes running out of the brush and runs right past her without so much as glancing up at her.
"See what I mean." I say as we both watch Patch go flying by us.
She smiled, and I said "Have a nice day" and kept going. It wasn't until later when I realized that she was out there without a vehicle. As I said, I was the only vehicle there that morning. What the hell was she doing with that small toddler out in those woods? Turns out she was only 300 yards from where I eventually found the Altar. Coincidence? Perhaps. And the old man the week before? He was a mere 15 yards from that altar when I saw him.
Whatever is going on, it's not of the norm.
I believe in God. I read a page from the Bible every single day. I don't attend mass anymore.
But I believe in Jesus. But this shit? Satan? Nah, I'm not a fan.
People have suggested that I call the cops. And say
what? I don't think it's against the law. Besides, I'm curious to see who the hell it is. And for the record, I carry a stick with me every time I enter the woods. Mostly to fend off any rabid aninmals. Plus, I carry my Marine Corps knife that will tear you a new asshole if I had to use it. So Lil Ralphie's good to go.
I'll keep you posted on my future encounters and findings.
(Click on this image above to see the portfolio)
Seems that everyone's who's seen the portfolio of mine on ESM (Eastern Surf Magazine) has had positive things to say. Richard "Mez" Meseroll contacted me via email back in November to do a piece on me that has never been done before on their ESM site. Using a READY MAG format, he wanted the Best of Ralph's Pic. And while he couldn't possibly use eveything thing I sent him, he did manage to put up some 50 pics of mine, plus two videos.
And I was truly humbled by his intro. He said some nice things about me.
The videos are down in the video section. If you havent seen them you really should. One is called THIS HAPPENED it's a short 4 minute edit of the Best O fthe Best from the last 5 years. I used my nephew QWILL's music as a soundtrack. And the other video is the GRANITE GIRL'S Trailer. And once again, I used QWILL's soundtrack in that trailer.
You really should check out the new EASTERN SURF Magazine piece.
Just click on the image above and it will take you there.
My son Max and his friends finally got their SURFING IN ICELAND movie they all made back in 2016 up and online. It's a film by Kris Roller and it's on YOUTUBE . Watch the whole movie in the Video section or just click on this image below to watch it on YouTube.
The project was three years in the making. A handful of local surfers including Kody Grondin, Tom Hay, James McGraghan, and Max Fatello headed off to Iceland in 2016 and besides having an eye opening adventure, they were able to sample some of the potential surf up there. The trailer is down in the video section, and I must say that some of the videography is stunning. Right now it's a YouTube release. It was released on Friday June 7th, 2019. Meanwhile, Watch the Movie. I think you'll like it. I know we did.
Tonight is Game Six of the STANLEY CUP FINALS.
Bruins are down 3 games to 2 in a best of 7 games. It's do or die time for the B's. If you have been following this series you know (regardless if youre a Bruins fan or Blues fan) that the Bruins got robbed by a NON CALL in Game 5. A blatant NON CALL on what was an all day long Tripping penalty. The non call led to the game winning goal by the Blues. It was in a word AWFUL. Just awful.
Plus the Blues have been head hunting this whole series.
These guys are Full Blown GOONS. I'm not kidding. The GOON SQUAD would be a better name for these losers. And the Refs? Are you SHITTING ME? WTF??
Something needs to happen tonight. If we all want to see a game 7 back in Boston. The BRUINS Must come out hitting hard. Shooting the Puck. And TAKING THIS GAME AWAY FROM THESE BIG BLUES MEANIES.
GO BRUINS!!! BEAT THESE BIG BLUE BONEHEADS!
Michael and Jasmine. Five years have passed since we lost them both.
June 9th, 2014. We remember how you lived. Not how you died.
"Surfing, Family, and Hockey Heals All Wounds."
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This is an unknown regular foot in March of 2014. I remember this day. It was one of those special days. Ed and I on the beach that morning. Exchanging jokes and taking pics. 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
This is a new flyer about SHARKS On Cape Cod. I'm helping a few friends out who live and surf down there. This is all important information that every Cape Cod surfer should know. Whether you live there or not.
This is no joke. Something MUST Be Done about the Seal Population on the Cape. It's time to cull the Seals.
Gotta Love England. I mean they know how to protest with humor. It's no secret how I feel about John McCain and it's no secret how I feel about 45 and his disdain for McCain. Suffice it to say, I am not alone. I may have to order one of these hats.
I'm a BIG CARS fan. Love the band. So stoked to see this show and tribute.
This my friends is a MUST SEE SHOW!
The DVD's are available at all the local surf shops. Or by
sending me an email. ralph@adlantic.com or send a check for $20.00 made out to ADLANTIC and send it here:
ADLANTIC
c/o OC Studio Suites
703 Ocean Blvd Suite C-4
Hampton, NH 03842
Or RENT or BUY it Online. You have spoken and I have listened. You don't have a DVD player so I made it available Online. Watch it on your Smart TV, your computer, or your cellphone! I can't make this any easier my friends.
GRANITE GIRLS and The RIVER WOMEN from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.
NOW AVAILABLE on VIMEO ON DEMAND.
On June 22nd and 23rd, PATAGONIA Will Be REPAIRING Wetsuits. As in ALL Wetsuits. As long as they are Dry Bring them into CINNAMON RAINBOWS Surf Shop.
KSM Photoshop of the Week
Well would you look at that. The Queen, the POTUS, and The First lady getting up close and personal with KSM. How on earth did he find his way into the castle? And look at him on his cell phone. Taking selfies of his bad self in front of Royalty. Can you believe the audacity? Can you? No neither can I. But at least we can laugh about it.
And 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 "NUTRA SLIM"
at Home Depot this week.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Brian Nevins June 9th, 2019!
CONGRATS NNE Surf Team at the ESA Northeast regionals!
RIP Curt Hammer
RIP Leon Redbone
RIP Dr John
GET WELL Terence Kirby!
GO BOSTON BRUINS!
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
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
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