My Mother's Day Celebration this year is for our own Mother Ocean. I know you were all expecting another family photo of all the Mother's in my life. And while they are all very important to me, and I love them all dearly, I wanted to pay close attention to the largest and most encompassing mother of all.
Our Mother Ocean.

Oh what the heck. Happy Mother's Day Cory, Judith, and Gabby. My sisters Donna, Gale, and Evamarie. My nieces Janelle and Kristen "K" and all the other mothers in my life. I LOVE you All! So happy Mother's Day to all the Mothers out there. Living and those who have since passed on, and to those new mothers. Enjoy your day. This day is for you.

Now here's a mother who should hide her face in shame. Meet Kelly Sadler.




She's the despicable piece of human garbage who uttered those disgusting words about John McCain this week. After McCain opposed the nomination of Gina Haspel to become the CIA Director. Haspel spent 33 years in the CIA with most of it as an operative in the field. In other words, she's one of our nation's unsung heroes. I understand why McCain is against Haspel. And I respectively disagree with him. But Sadler's remarks? Unforgivable.

No surprise, she works for 45 himself. The administration under 45 has got to be the most embarrassing and humiliating bunch of losers to ever grace the oval office. Try as I might to warm up to him and his clan, it seems that there's a never ending flow of complete insanity to come out of that once respected building every week.



This is a photo of John McCain and I back in 2008. He was on his second bid for the white house. I worked with him in 2004 when he was running against Bush. Look it's no big secret why I like the man. He's one of the most respectful and honorable men I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. His military record alone speaks volumes of the kind of character John McCain is. He is a Bona Fide War Hero. To think otherwise is just wrong. That's right, I'm talking about him again (45). Mr FIVE DEFERMENTS himself. A man who couldn't hold a candle to what McCain went through.

I hope John makes it. But I know only too well what Brain cancer can do. It took my sister and my mother. Be strong John. And know, that you are a good man and our God knows this too. You will soon be at peace. And I can promise you, that there will be people keeping 45 away from your services.

This Saturday May 19th, 2018 at the Marston School in Hampton, NH it's the 4th annual McCarthy STRONG Walk to help fight against pancreatic cancer. This is all in memory of Steve McCarthy who lost his battle against pancreatic cancer in 2015. Steve was a great guy. Gone way too early in life. But that's what pancreatic Cancer can do. It takes you quickly. Too damn quickly.




The ORIGINAL Nor'easters will be playing after the walk. We might even play outside if the weather allows it. It's always a GREAT time so come and join the McCarthy clan as we all walk and honor Steve and all of those affected by cancer, specifically pancreatic cancer (of which there is no cure).

And speaking of McCarthys. Young Duffy McCarthy made a bet with me a couple of weeks ago. He claimed that his wave in this photo was bigger than my wave in this photo. My wave is on top, and Duffy's wave is on the bottom.
Can you help settle this dispute? I've already posted this on social media, and it has been an overwhelming landslide on my wave being bigger.

What say you? Can you see the difference?




" Surfing and Winning Bets Heals All Wounds."

These are some of the photographers who have contributed to the new GRANITE GIRLS Movie. Let to right" Ed O'Connell, Ralph Fatello, John Carden, and Ryan Scura. Brian Nevins took the photo. Photo by Brian Nevins
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Now for Some Local, National and International News
I am fast becoming a real Celtics fan. I am one of those who loves the underdog. And ya gotta figure that the Celtics will be the underdogs against the Cavs with Mr Basketball Himself LEBRON JAMES. They took care of business this past week beating the Bucks in a nail biter. Man that was a game! it was back and forth all night. And the last 5 minutes was one for the ages.



And I am quickly learning that seconds matter when it comes to the NBA. The lead changed so many times in the last few minutes that my head was spinning. But as luck, or should I say talent and clock management won the game for the Celtics. Brad Stephens looks like he's still in High School. He reminds me of Josh McDaniels of the Patriots. Both Stephens and McDaniels must get carded all the time. But both can claim to be great coaches.

Right now as we speak, Brad Marchand is looking for someone's face to lick. I hate to say I told you so, but...I did say that Marchand was a big reason why they lost that series. His juvenile actions were a smoke screen for his pathetic playing. He gave up the puck too many times in our zone that led to TB scoring on us.

Did Marchand personally lose the series? No, but he sure as hell didn't help. And you can take that to the bank.

OK I'm going to shock a few people here. And look, if I didn't acknowledge 45 when he actually did something good, I would be a first rate hypocrite. He did help negotiate the release of the three prisoners who were held captive in North Korea.



So he earned our gratitude for whatever part he played. My guess is the new Secretary of State Mike Pompeo did all the ground work. If anyone should be praised it should be Pompeo. Listening to 45 gush about himself is embarrassing. Especially when he keeps bringing up that he should get the Nobel Peace Prize. I mean honestly? Who says shit like that? Only 45. That's who.

So if 45 and Kim Jung Un can meet Face to face and come to some agreement on stemming off a nuclear war, that would be another reason to acknowledge 45. But, I'll believe all of this when it happens. Meanwhile, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.

Contrary to popular belief, I want our country to do well.

Though I doubt his tweets will stop. Speaking of tweets, I thought this was a clever meme.



How freaking crazy is the footage coming out of Hawaii? That Volcano and the subsequent lava flow? WTF??? Seeing tornadoes, hurricanes, and floods are always terrifying. But this? This slow motion lava flowing through homes, business, and roadways are just downright creepy. I mean how do you stop it?



I guess you don't. You just let it burn it's way through whatever it is that's in it's path. You have to admit, it is mesmerizing.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
This is too crazy even for me. How the hell? Oh forget-about it. It's KSM and as best as I can tell, he somehow got behind the wheel of this rent a car in Hawaii and was trying to escape. Not only the lava flow but trying to escape from being held prisoner at GITMO. How he got to Hawaii is anyone's guess. But it sure looks doubtful that he's going anywhere too soon.



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 "Charcoal for the new grill" at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY to ALL MOTHERS!
GET WELL SOON Max Fatello!
GET WELL SOON Jon Gozzo!
GET WELL SOON Cliff Pappas!
GET WELL JoEllen Bunton!

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



ESA-NNE FLATBREAD FUNDRAISER in Portsmouth, NH
Tuesday May 29th, 2018 Please HELP THE ESA-NNE.

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) Not gonna lie, it was a longboarder's dream set up.
Friday May 11th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) There's always that 10% that are going to push the envelope.
Friday May 11th, 2018. Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The WSL FOUNDERS CUP of SURFING
At the Kelly Slater Wave Ranch. May 5th, 2018.
Photos by Jeff Chamberlain



(Above) There's an old saying that rings true with this next gallery and that is:
"A picture is worth a thousand words." And while that may be true, the man who took these photos is a well known photo surf journalist/writer who has penned and shot his way through all the stages of our great lifestyle in the last 40 plus years. And what he says, and what he's documented, should have some serious clout. Long story short, Jeff was beyond impressed. And let me just point out, that it takes some doing to raise his eyebrow. So when I read his lengthy email, and saw the photos, I had to admit, that I too had become a believer in this new day of surfing.

Most of you already know of this place and what it can do. Jeff was there along with 8,000 visitors witnessing the best of the best, in both the male and female competitors, as they literally ripped this place apart. A few weeks back I posted a video of Cinnamon Rainbow's owner Dave "Crop" Cropper surfing this spot. So you have seen it in action.

Take your time and go through this comprehensive photo gallery of the true future of surfing. Saturday May 5th, 2018. Photo by Jeff Chamberlain
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) The man himself. Kelly Slater riding on one of his own custom shaped boards at his own custom built wave ranch. Saturday May 5th, 2018.
Photo by Jeff Chamberlain
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) According to Jeff, it was the women who impressed him the most.
Saturday May 5th, 2018. Photo by Jeff Chamberlain
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Who among us would not want to sample this? My hand is raised.
Saturday May 5th, 2018. Photo by Jeff Chamberlain
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Correct me if I'm wrong, but has there EVER been a better view of a World Class Surf Contest than this? Saturday May 5th, 2018.
Photo by Jeff Chamberlain *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Dear Lord, have you ever seen anything quite like this?
Saturday May 5th, 2018. Photo by Jeff Chamberlain
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Would you pay to see this kind of Circus performer? The answer is yes. It truly is the future. This is high performance surfing IN YOUR FACE!
Saturday May 5th, 2018. Photo by Jeff Chamberlain
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This could be you someday. A barrel is a barrel. Do you think for a moment this guy is thinking about the fact that this is man made? Hell no, he's to freaking stoked to be thinking anything other than he's in the barrel of his life! And you would be too! Saturday May 5th, 2018. Photo by Jeff Chamberlain
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery


(Above) Come back real soon Y'all. Saturday May 5th, 2018.
Photo by Jeff Chamberlain *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) The sea! The sea! the beautiful sea. Friday May 11th, 2018.
Photo courtesy of Jose Perez
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery