Thanksgiving morning I'm standing at the Wall shooting the action. The surf was perfect. Chest to head high and the color of the water was that marine green and blue. The wind was offshore and there were maybe 30 people out up and down the 2 mile stretch of cement. Out of the corner of my eye I detected some movement coming towards me. A man I have never seen before walks up and says "They must be crazy right?"

I answered "Oh they are crazy alright but not for the reasons you think."
"That water must be freezing! " he says like I've heard a million, no make that a billion times before. "Not really" I say without looking at him. My focus was clearly on the action taking place in front of my lens. "What's the water temperature?" I finally look over at him. He's about 30 years old short cropped dark hair and he looks like he could shave off a few pounds. "Oh I'm guessing low 50's" I reply to his question.

"Those wetsuits must keep them warm." he states the obvious. "Yup, they sure do." I answer. Then I say what I have been saying ever since the wetsuit companies made the big breakthrough in neoprene. "Anybody can go out there without getting too cold. Even you." His eyes light up.

"You think I could learn how to surf?" he asks. "Well, I don't know much about you, but yeah, you could." I say regretting every word that leaves my mouth.
"Where could I learn how to surf?" he asks getting closer to me. "The shop down the street gives lessons. Cinnamon Rainbows. But I would wait until summer if I were you."

He looks out at the line up and readily agrees with me.

I wished I said something to discourage him, rather than enlighten him. Like that bumper sticker that someone gave me. "SURFING SUCKS. DON'T TRY IT!" I guess it's the new Ralph I keep hearing about. So I nod and acknowledge his new found interest.

I looked out at the line-up and said. "You see all those surfers out there? About half of them are going to miss Thanksgiving dinners today because of these waves." He looked at me to see if I was kidding or not. As you all know, I was not kidding. Then I quickly rewinded my life back to the days of high school and beyond. I missed more Thanksgiving dinners, Christmas dinners, Easter dinners, birthday parties, graduations, christenings (where I was the God father), weddings, job interviews, important meetings, and games. Not to mention all the past girlfriends before Cory. Surfing was way more important than any of those that I just named.



Now-a-days my son Max is the surf phantom around the holidays. He shows up late for all of the events I just named, or just out right misses them completely. And with my background I have no leg to stand on as far as demanding he be here for these holiday dinners. And my wife knows it too. We've been together for 33 years. She knows the mind of the hardcore surfer. Nothing gets by her, but like me she knows what she's dealing with.

It's the new parents of surfers who I feel bad for. Get used to it mom and dad.
Expect junior to miss a few big events because of surfing.

I trust you all had a nice Thanksgiving. My sister Donna has all the family over to her home and cooks up a storm of great food. It's funny I was describing to one of my non Italian friends what a Thanksgiving Dinner is like for us. We start with soup. The recipe for this soup started with my late grandmother, and then got passed on to our mother. When she passed my sister picked up the soup baton and ran with it. And let me tell you. This soup is to die for.



Our grandchildren have become indoctrinated to the family tradition. My son Max holds the family record of 13 bowls of Nana's soup. This thanksgiving most of us paced ourselves. I only had three bowls, but I could have easily gone for another 3 or more. It's that good.

After the soup we have the pasta. You heard me. Lasagna, meatballs, sausages, and more. I passed completely on the pasta to save room for the turkey. I wanted to make sure we got the turkey with all the fixings. And I did.



This is the bird we devoured. It was worth passing on the Lasagna.



We're wrapping up the GRANITE GIRLS movie. It's taking longer than expected. Though I am still pushing for a Christmas week release.

"Giving Thanks and Being Thankful Heals All Wounds"

This week's Ed's corner pic is from September 14th, 2013 during TS Gabrielle. Not sure who this woman is, but if any of you know, please drop me a line. Photo by Ed O'Connell
*Click the photo above to see a larger version of Ed's Pic.


Now for Some International News
"Ding Dong the witch is dead-Ding Dong the wicked witch is dead!" Charles Manson checked out at age 83 this past week. What on earth took him so long to die? There have been so much written on this nutcase, so rather than go through it all I figured I'd post a series of photos during his many changes over the years.

Though he may have changed his look, he stayed pretty much on course with his whacked out philosophy on life.



Carving a Swastika on your forehead, was what's the word? Oh yeah MORONIC. Chuck you has been guitar player, with goofy stupid songs. I hope there is a hell. And if there is, I hope you have a front seat in front of that burning fire.



This was Chuck's last wife. I think she called herself "Star". More like a Black Star if you ask me. Clearly out for fame she latched onto this tired old donkey to put herself in the limelight. I'm sure she's in the process of signing a book deal with some scumbag publisher with a flamboyant ghost writer. After all, we all want to hear what those congeal visits were like.



Charles Manson may be dead, but Charles Rose wishes he was too! The Harvey Weinstein fallout has been collecting all kinds of dust as it hurls through the gossip pages and social media. The latest creep is Charles Rose. Now I have to admit, I was surprised by this one. I honestly did not see that one coming.



And neither did his two co-hosts on Good Morning America.
They both spoke up against the horn toad. Poor Charlie.
What's this old Horned Toad gonna do now? He might want to give Bill Clinton a call and see if he can hang out with him.

KSM Photoshop of the Week
The Harvey Weinstein effect is toppling Celebes's like dominoes. It seems every day there's a new woman coming out and telling their story. Franken has apologized but there were two more accusations brought against him this week as well. So it should be no surprise to anyone to see KSM hanging with the Sleaze twins. Ole Khaliddy knows all about harassing women. Hell his boys (Al Qeada) wrote the book on abusing women.



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 "Condoms"
at Home Depot this week.

CONGRATS TO THE WHS WARRIORS for going 12-0 and Winning the State Championship. Well done Warriors Well Done. So proud of these kids. I'm not at all surprised that McGee (Andrew Mills) would turn out this way. He was playing football before he could walk. And there was NO ONE tougher than that kid. Congrats to all the players and coaches.
12-0 this is one for the ages.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

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

Today- The Day After The Thanksgiving Day Swell
November 24th, 2017 Photos by RALPH



(Above) I looked out the window and this is what I saw. This guy was alone.
Friday November 24th, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- The November Woods November, 2017
Photos by RALPH



(Above) Hold onto me and don't let go. November, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

(Above) Think about the hands that built these stone walls over two hundred years ago. November, 2017 Photo by RALPH
*Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

Today- Thanksgiving Day November 23rd, 2017
Photos by RALPH



(Above) My sister Donna and her husband Michael run the Holidays ever since our parents passed away. Thursday November 23rd, 2017
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery




(Above) Jaiden and Max cousins. Thursday November 23rd, 2017
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery





(Above) There's a whole new generation of grandchildren running around
the house these days. Thursday November 23rd, 2017
Photo by RALPH *Click on the photo above to see the whole gallery

CLICK ON THE PLAY BUTTON on each clip to view videos


Ole Crackie shares some words of wisdom and some of the things that he is truly thankful for...he is very insightful and heartwarming. Happy Thanksgiving All You Crackie fans....you dumb asses! Now GIT OUT MY FACE!

The SOU'EASTER October 30th, 2017 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

GRANITE GIRLS Trailer II 10-19-17 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.

JOSE September 20th to September 24th, 2017 from Ralph's Pic Of The Week on Vimeo.