So what exactly is a "Surf Mom?" Is it a Mom who surfs, or a Mom who takes her kids surfing? Or is it something all together different? Well, I think it's all of the above and more. Certainly Mothers who surf are clearly surf moms. And this sleepy little Seacoast community has hundreds of Surf moms. I mean Good Lord, where do I start? I can't. Because I will inevitably leave someone out unintentionally. But suffice it to say there are dozens that I know personally. And each one of them is legit.

In other words, they are active Mother's who really do surf.

And not just surf. I'm talking hardcore surfers. In the dead of winter surfers. Heck I've seen some surf moms paddle out on cold winter days that I know some of the "male" surfers in this world would never paddle out in. Hardcore New England Surf Moms. I've had the pleasure of surfing with many of them over the years as well. And honestly? There has never been a beef with a surf mom when I was out there. I've never seen a surf mom get into hassle, though I'm certain it has happened somewhere on this planet. Just not round these parts.

For the most part they keep to themselves. Rarely are they the over the top aggressive attitude. They catch their waves and share the waves. What a concept huh? Seriously, I've never seen anyone get into a hassle with a surf mom. And honestly? I better not see one. Ever. And it's not that I'm playing the over protective macho male sheriff role. It's just that if there's a hassle involving any one of the surf Moms I know, I know it's got to be the other person's fault. Unless of course it's two surf moms hassling each other. In which case, I'm staying clear of that fight.

Then there are the other Surf Moms who don't surf.

And there are hundreds of thousands of them as well. I've seen Surf Moms since day one cart their kids and their friends all over God's Creation to take them surfing. Picking them up and dropping them off. Dealing with wet and sandy wetsuits, and boards of all sizes being crammed into the mini vans and SUV's. Oh yea, you've seen them. Taking the Groms to contests up and down the East Coast.

And then feeding the hungry groms and their hungry grom friends.

Those are the surf moms who rarely get mentioned or acknowledged. And those are the moms we are honoring and saying thank you to today. Mother's Day. In fact, we are saying thank you to all of the mothers all across the globe today. Moms are the best. They carried your butt around for 9 months and then gave birth to you. Then they changed your diapers, fed you, and cared for you as only a mother could. Their undying devotion to each and every one of their children, was unwavering.

Mothers deserve this day. So if you haven't called your mother, or stopped by the house, and did any of the things you are supposed to do today, then might I suggest you stop reading this blog, and call your Mom right now and tell her how much you love her. And how thankful you are for all the times she took care of you, and your brothers and sisters, and all your friends. Call her. Text her. Facebook her. Just do it.

And to those of us who have lost our Mothers. Well, dig out an old favorite photo, or video and sit back and reflect on the person who brought you into this world. And think of all the good times you had with her. I know there are a handful of you who are experiencing the first Mother's Day without your mom. Trust me. This feeling will get better with each year. The first Mother's Day without your Mom is a hard one. But it will get better. I know it does.

I have a few friends who are dealing with that today. I wanted to take this time to reach out to you. It will be OK. And it's OK to cry. That's all part of the healing process. My friend Steve Dillon lost his mother back in December. I know how close he was to his mom. His Mom Carlene was the typical surf mom back in the day. Only she took it to a whole other level. She used to not only drive her 3 sons to the surf, but she would actually videotape them surfing. Can you image that? Talk about having a cool surf mom. I'd see her in her van shooting the boys at the Wall. It was classic.

This is Mrs Dillon as a young woman. We were all young once. And she is young again. So Steve, here's to your Mother in heaven, And to all the Surf Moms who have passed away. May they all rest in peace.

Speaking of surf Moms. I had the absolute honor and pleasure of spending part of this Mother's day with three mothers who lost their sons in the Global War on Terrorism. Maureen Murphy, Cindy Dietz, and Natalie Healy. All three lost their sons in Afghanistan in the same operation. They were here in New England because yesterday in Bath Maine, they Christened a Naval Warship in memory of Maureen's son Michael Murphy. Murphy was awarded the Medal Of Honor for his actions that day. June 28, 2005. Operation Red Wing. It was the single biggest loss of life in the US NAVY SEAL History.

And in light of what happened earlier this week involving NAVY Seals, I thought it appropriate to post this photo. Especially in light of the fact that most of this SEAL Team were also Surfers.

Left to right: Cindy Dietz mother of Danny Dietz, Maureen Murphy (mother of Michael Murphy) and Nat Healy (mother of Dan Healy). I took this photo this morning in Exeter, NH. On Mother's Day. May 8, 2011. (Click for a larger version).

I consider myself pretty damn lucky. How's that? Well my wife is a great Mom to our kids. And my Mother-in-law is a great Mom to my wife. So even though I don't have my mom around on Mother's Day, I do get to see my Mother-in-law and I get to see my kids dote over their mother. My wife. So I'm a lucky guy.

My wife Cory and my Mother-in-law Judith, Mother's Day. May 8, 2011.

My wife Cory and our kids, on Mother's Day. May 8, 2011.

For those who missed this review last week. I was so stoked to see a review on my latest Movie The RUN REDUX in the latest ESM magazine. Click on the image below to see a larger version.

Or better yet pick up a copy in you favorite shop. Of course, you can always hit the ESM ad in the next column and check out their cool website. And if you don't have a copy of the RUN Redux ask your shop if they got em, or just order one from SURF FREE OR DIE. Either way, I'd be stoked...and who knows, you may be in the movie.

So some of you may have heard about my bump in the road this past week. If not check out the photos in the blog this week. I'm OK, but I'll have a scar that will always remind me about that day. I know I always say "Surfing Heals All Wounds." But I guess "Surfing Also Causes some wounds as well. "

Though the very next day I went back out...so it's true. Or still true, that Surfing Does HEAL all wounds, even the wounds, that surfing caused. Ouch...

Now for some of my Weekly Global Observances:
WOW! Is all I can say this week. How about those NAVY SEALS? Oh My God! What a great week for America. As you all have heard, the US NAVY SEALS pulled off the most covert operation since the War began on September 11, 2001. We have killed the wicked witch. Osama Bin Laden is dead. The Seals dropped in uninvited on OBL's compound last Sunday night and killed OBL and three of his male comrades.

All news reports say that Osama died like a coward.

I am not at all surprised. He is a coward. Albeit a dead coward. Credit must be given from President Obama all the way down to the Navy Seal Team 6 that did this daring and bold operation. It was such a major event that we are still buzzing over it. But suffice it to say, the most Wanted Man in the World is now dead. He is with the bottom fish now. Being nibbled on as I write this. Dead. The Coward who killed 3,000 innocent US civilians is dead.

I know there are some out there like the bloated egomaniac Michael Moore who are calling BS on this mission. Mr Double Bacon and Cheese burger face himself is questioning why we shot Osama if he was unarmed. Here's my question for Mr Moore. Were the 3,000 Americans who died on September 11th, 2001 armed? The people on those planes? The people who jumped to their deaths? The Police and firefighters who went up those stairs to rescue civilians? Were any of them armed?

When is someone going to do a documentary on Michael Moore? Give me a break.

OK it's true. The Bruins are back! They swept the team that took four in a row from them last season. The Flyers must still be spinning in their tracks. Whoa! See ya Philly! Hello Tampa Bay...I'm back. I'm a fan again. I'm loving this. NHL Hockey is exciting. If you have not seen a game in a while I strongly suggest you do. GO BRUINS! We can do this...(Yes I said we). I'm a fan dammit!


And GO CELTICS! They beat the Heat in a must needed victory last night,. Even though Rondo broke his arm. is he in or out? But it's a new series )sort of). 2-1 is better than 3-0 that's for sure. But hey, it's all exciting to be a fan here in New England. The Bruins, The Celtics, and The Sox. All kicking butt! GO NEW ENGLAND Teams!

ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE RUN REDUX IS OUT! Pick one up in the shops or email me and order one directly or go to www.surffreeordie.com
CHECK OUT Jimmy Dunn and his Funny ass friends at the
BLUE OCEAN MUSIC HALL Salisbury Beach, MA on May 20th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Nohea Nichols May 2nd!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jay Gould May 7th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stan Bocko May 8th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Leah Grondin 21 on May 8th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gabby Fatello 21 on May 9th!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Tony Szabo on May 9th!

Don't forget to Check the DAILY BLOG on My CATCH A WAVE FOR MOLLY. (Click
On the Banner on this page.) Started on July 26, 2010 ENDS July 26, 2011. A Wave
a day for 365 consecutive days. Just click on the banner ads on this page.

CHECK OUT THE NEW/Old YESTERDAY PAGE! ALL OLD New England and
beyond Surf Pics! *NEW PICS added each week!

*Check out the NEW updated DROPPING IN ON RALPH blog Section.
ALL of December, January, and February will be up soon . The DROPPING IN ON
RALPH section will be up to DATE as soon as I can find the time to do it. There's just so much a man can do in a single day. But I do want to update that page, as it is entertaining to say the least. Because there's some great letters from you guys from all over the world. (And a few hurtful ones too). But check it out.

*This is the blog section of this website where you can write in and comment. The only downside of this blog is, you actually have to use your REAL Name. No hiding behind some fake handle and name. If you want to comment, you have to man up, and be yourself. I will post all comments, both good and bad. You just have to be yourself.

Please Support ALL The photographers who contribute to Ralph's Pic Of The Week
every week for the last 8 years. **Think about BUYING a Photo from any of the weeks
on RPOTW as a GREAT Gift Idea. A nice framed photo of your favorite Surfer!

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

Ralph

(Above) Michael Sander's watermelon slice. May 5th, 2011.
Photo By Ed O'Connell * Click on the photo above to see the Whole Gallery.

Weekend at Bucks from The Wild Lyfe on Vimeo.

Here we go again, we have another doozy for you! April 17th ended up being one of the best swells to hit the east coast in a long time. Step into our world for the weekend as we score epic waves and goodtimes with the backwoods crew.

Sunday , April 17, 2011. DE/MD state line.
Special thanks to Dan Herlihy at Herlihyproductions.com and Dave Messick with Unscene for the extra footage.
Photo by Nick Denny.

Click above graphic for Daily BLOG or to DONATE to the Fundraiser.

(Above) BIG SUNDAY with Brendan McCray in the barrel! April 17, 2011
Photo by Merlyn Caswell-Mackey *Click on the photo above to see the Readers Gallery