Snow, Pipemasters and Saying Goodbye to Vic Lessard

I am still getting used to the naming of winter storms. Though I must admit, I like the sound of Electra. And she was quite the storm. The wind was howling for it's darling all night long. The wind blew and the snow grew. By dawn's early light we had ourselves a significant snowfall. I guess we'll be having a white Christmas after all. 

Not really into the white stuff. But I certainly can see the beauty in it all. Just not into having to remove it from my driveway. Especially when my snowblower breaks down every other storm. As it did this time. Got both driveway snowbanks clear, before Old Red broke down. And young Max (my back up plan) was out surfing.

The surf from Electra was HUGE! And impressive. 

Still, I could of used the manual labor earlier in the day, as to having to wait for him to surf. I know that sounds sheepish on my part. But one of the things about being a surf dad is, I remember what it was like when I was young, and wanting to surf winter storms. My dad didn't surf per se, and it was always difficult in trying to explain my passion for winter surfing. He eventually got it late in life. But it was a constant struggle in the beginning. 

So my son benefited from my early experience. He surfed today.

Watching the Billabong Pipeline masters surf contest yesterday live on the Internet didn't help either. Max and I watched, as the best surfers in the world tackled the best waves in the world, live on the Internet. And it was nothing short of amazing. It truly was. 

This is 41 year old Kelly Slater from Cocoa Beach, Florida in the finals. He beat John John Florence in a close heat. It was, and still is hard to believe that we can watch live streaming video from Hawaii, while sitting at home in the frozen tundra, that is New Hampshire. I mean look at that wave! Are you kidding me? 

It's no wonder Max wanted to surf today. If I was his age, I would too. 

But thank God I am not. Because I have no desire to want to get into a winter wetsuit these days, and paddle out into freezing cold water temps, and equally freezing air temps. Homey don't play that game anymore. I've filled my winter surfing quota thank you. Twice now. 2000-2001 and 2010 -2011. My winter surfing days are behind me. 

[Photo 3] But I will gladly brave the cold to document anyone willing to paddle out. That certainly includes my son Max.

While not as big or as hollow as Pipeline, our waves are equally as dangerous. And I'm not sure how many of those Pros could handle our surf, in our extreme conditions. My guess is, not many. 

Which suits all of us just fine. 

l am done with putting lights on the house and bushes. Especially since Electra dumped all that snow on us. Whew! Hey, I guess there was silver lining in that dark cloud after all. Though I'm pretty sure, I won't be up for the "Chevy Chase Christmas Lights of the Year" award. I do think I did enough.

[Photo 4] I took this photo just as it was starting to come down. 

[Photo 2] And this one when it really was winding up. I thought for sure we would lose power, but we didn't. Living here all my life you kind of halfway expect those things to happen. Tis The Season.

And speaking of the season. TIME magazine has named Pope Francis "Person of the Year." I like this Pope. Of all the Popes I have seen over the years, he does seem to be the most progressive of all.

I like his attitude, and his stance on subjects that were almost taboo in the Catholic Church before he was Pope. And I especially like the fact that he refuses to drive around in the "Pope Mobile" and instead, drives his own used vehicle. Like I said. He's my kind of Pope.

Merry Christmas Pope Francis. This is your "time" of the year.
And once again, a little play on words, using my mantra of "Surfing Heals All Wounds" by saying "Smiling Heals All Wounds" 

[Photo 1] Longtime local Icon Vic Lessard passed away this week. Vic pictured here on the left, with Kelly Britton, and his son Keith was a good man. I can honestly say, without any hesitation, that "Vicky" was one of the people in this town of Hampton, who truly cared about what was best for the town. 

He helped me out back in the early 90's and spoke on my behalf. I never forgot that. I've known his brother Paul just as long, as well as his sons. Kenny and Keith. 

Vic will be sorely missed by all who knew and loved him. And I want to send out my most sincere condolences to his family and friends, who number I'm sure, in the thousands. 

Last week we said goodbye to Rob Gronkowski and perhaps the entire season for the New England Patriots football team. 

But we all believe in Bill so much, that we all figured that Bill would save us. That Bill could somehow salvage our season and keep our dreams and hopes aloft. Well... 

...today the Patriots were in the process of coming back after being behind for the 4th consecutive week in Miami today, only to fall short. They lost 24-20 and also, missed a golden opportunity to not only take the AFC East title, but to take the Number One slot in all of the AFC. 

The Denver Donkeys retain that position, and we slip back to number two. Talk about missed opportunities. And I'm sure most of you will agree, that there were two interference calls that were not called in the last two plays, before the final interception.

Even the damn announcers said. "In a regular game, that would be interference, but not in a game like this." Really? What the hell does that mean? Either it's interference or it's not. That's crazy. 

The end of that game, was just like the last 3 weeks. 

And I'm sure, all of Patriots Nation sat on the edge of their seats, biting their finger nails, waiting and watching, and PRAYING for that last minute comeback. But not today folks. Not today. Oh well, it was still exciting.