I saw this print of my late mother Eva for the very first time, last year. My cousin Artie had a copy of it. His mother Gloria (my mother's sister) passed away and he found it with photos of his mother. I can clearly see my sisters in her face. And I suppose my brothers and I have some hints of her as well. Seeing my mother as a young woman, before she married my father, before she gave birth to 7 children, before she had 8 grandchildren, was an awakening to me.

You know the saying, "We were all young once." Well, here's proof of that.

It's good that we still honor mothers on this day. It's important to acknowledge your mom whether she's still with us, or has passed on. Taking a moment to reflect on your mother shouldn't be hard to do. The work of a mother is non stop. They work hard, and they worry about you. Forever. All mothers are saints. I'm sure you will all agree on that. Carrying your ass around for 9 months, then pushing you out of her body through the tiniest of openings, is something that no man could ever do. EVER. Am I right fellas?

Then to nurse you, change your stinking diapers, feed and dress you. They should have a Mothers Day Week. Let alone a day. Do something nice for your mom today. Call, visit, or pray to her soul. It's Mothers day. It only comes once a year. Don't blow it. Don't regret not calling her today. Get off your ass and be the son and daughter she raised. And feel good about yourself afterwards.

My wife has been an incredible mother to our three children. And she's been an even better grandmother to our two grandchildren. It's been a wonderful transition for her, being a mother, then grandmother. My wife was an only child. So this sibling stuff was all new to her when she had our first in 1990.
But instinct just kicked in when our first kid was born. And her maternal instincts are still active today with our grandchildren.



This is "Mimi" with our two grandchildren. Honestly, she could pass for their mom. I always embarrass her out in public, when I introduce her to people as "This is my oldest Cory". Truth is, I look more like a grandparent than she does.



There's an old saying, that "if you want to know what your wife will look like when she gets older, just look at her mother." I must be one lucky SOB. This is Cory's mom today. Happy Mother's Day Judith! Can you believe she's a great grandmother? Not sure what's in those genes, but if they could package and sell them, we'd all be rich.



My two all time favorite surf moms. Cory and Kim holding a baby. A grand baby. And I believe this baby is Avery. Though Brylee looks just like her.



Speaking of babies....Cory and I, along with our dear friend David Robinson (The CARS) went into town on Thursday to see BABY METAL. I know I know. Why would three 50 and 60 something year olds, go to see three 14yr old Japanese girls singing and dancing in front of a heavy (HEAVY) Metal band?
Well that's a legitimate question.

Truth is, David and I discovered them three years ago. And we have been dying to see them ever since. This was their first Boston appearance. And I have to tell you, it was unlike anything I have ever seen before. Just a huge wall of sound coming at you. While the three girls sang in high voices to these sweet little pop tunes, with catchy chorus lines.

They sang in both broken English and Japanese. The choreography was amazing. I mean it was perfect. The energy these little girls had was just incredible. The band? My god they were absolutely mind melting powerful. The two guitar players were like having two Joe Satriani's as book ends. Seriously.
I know guitar playing. And these two could burn on their guitars. The bass player looked like a demented Jim Carey in THE MASK, while playing like Stanely Clarke. And the drummer? He was like Jon Bonham on steroids. Just a wall of thunder that was never ending.

Not a single beat or note was off. All night.

And the VERY Best thing? NOT a single sexual overtone. The girls sing about Chocolate and the simple things in life. NO sexy moves from them, or the band. So many artists out there these days, come out wearing the most absurd outfits. From tight fitting one piece bathing suits, to exposed flesh and beyond.

I know sex sells. But so does talent. And Baby Metal was all about talent.



The SELL OUT crowd loved them. Do yourselves a favor and check out KARATE and GIMME CHOCOLATE on YouTube.


You might end up a convert. Just like us.

"Surfing Moms and Heavy Metal Heals All Wounds"

I know Jon Kiskinis misses Ed as much as any of the surfers here on the seacoast. I believe Ed was the first to start shooting Jon. Ed was very liberal when it came to shooting surfers. He would shoot anyone. He shot Jon before I did.
To see more of Ed's pics just scroll through the archives. He has shot so many pics for the blog. Be sure and pick up a copy of the COLD COAST and check out Ed's own gallery.

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.

On Saturday May 21st, 2016 the 2nd Annual McCarthy Strong Walk will kick off from the American Legion Post 35. Click on the image below to see a larger version of this.



The McCarthy name is legendary here on the Seacoast. Please join us in this walk and FIGHT against Cancer.



Never seen these two before? Well hell, you have got to make the time to slip down and grab a Flatbread, and listen to some original cover tunes. Believe it or not, Rich and I have played in bands together off an on since 1986. That's 30 fricking years! We always have fun. And so would you. So get your asses down there. It's free. (music). You still have to pay for the food and drink.

Now for Some More Of My Weekly Global Observances
So once again, the Donald opens his mouth and out comes garbage. It's almost as if he really can't help himself. And if that wasn't bad enough, Paul Ryan, Jeb Bush, and Lindsey Graham said they would not support him.

If TRUMP is the GOP front runner going up against HILLARY they will NOT support him. I don't know about you people, but this seems to be the unraveling of the GOP. One thing's for sure "We're not in Kansas anymore."

This has been the most absurd political run for the White House of ALL time. Have you ever seen anything like this?



My honest opinion is during one of the first debates with TRUMP vs HILLARY she will say something that will get under his skin and he will say something so vile, so negative, so unforgivable, that even his most hardcore followers will step back and re-think their support.


Do yourselves a favor and take a good hard look at both of them. HILLARY and TRUMP. Those are our options? You have got to be kidding me. I guess it really is "Pick Your Poison".

KSM Photoshop of the Week
Now it's no secret that KSM has a thing for the Donald. Not sure what his motive is, but he keeps showing up at the most unlikely of places. Here he is at the Victory speech in Indiana last week where The Donald blurted out his latest crazy word. He actually said. It's going to be BIGLY. Say what? "BIGLY?" What the hell is that? .



As always... take advantage of this weekly photo shop of the mastermind who planned 9-11 and resulted in the deaths of 3,000 innocent civilians KSM (Khalid Sheik Mohammed).

*Note to self must pick up a case of pink ties at Home Depot this week.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Jay Gould May 7th, 2016.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Leah Grondin May 8th, 2016.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Gabby Fatello May 9th, 2016.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY Stan Bocko May 8th, 2016.
HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY To all You Moms!
Please Pray for a NH Icon from the Seacoast. North Beach Matriarch Jane McCarthy is needing some love and prayers. Jane is the mother of Duffy McCarthy and the whole McCarthy clan. She's been a fixture on the Wall forever.
You all have seen her, you might not know her, but trust me, she has seen you all. And please continue to pray for local Hampton surfer Terry Morrison and his family.

Also please pray for Marine SSGT George Masten. A combat Marine who served in Korea and Vietnam. He was awarded the purple heart for wounds received in Vietnam in 1967. George is battling cancer. PLEASE say a prayer for him.

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 GRAPHIC ABOVE TO SEE EVERY
SINGLE WEEK FROM THE LAST 11 YEARS!

*Click on the photo above to see a larger version

(Above) The Gull Of The Week" pic. I can't help it. I love seabirds.
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) This guy said his hands were not cold. I didn't believe him.
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) The wide fish boards worked fine out in the oily glass conditions.
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Hannah Vokey debating whether or not it was worth it. It was.
Tuesday May 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Perry Reynolds started out on this board but quickly switched to his BOL (Board Of Length). Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) I don't believe I have ever seen Ryan Jackson on a longboard. Am I correct on this? Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This is Perry Reynolds proving the waist high criteria for the week.
Tuesday, May 3rd, 2016 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The May 2nd pics from Erica Nardone.
Monday May 2nd,2016 Photos by Erica Nardone



(Above) This might not be on Monday. It might be Tuesday, but either day
looks fun to me. Tuesday May 2nd, 2016 Photo by Erica Nardone
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) This Spring has been pretty good. Tuesday May 2nd, 2016
Photo by Erica Nardone
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery



(Above) Won't be long before all the hoodies come off.
Tuesday May 2nd, 2016 Photo by Erica Nardone
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery