– Note: This blog was still in draft at the time of Gurumarka’s passing so previously unpublished –
Surfside
The small community I lived during all childhood and a bit beyond.
Police came when I swelled a nickel. Stood over me as I sat on the toilet waiting for the nickel to pass.
Father was at various time, a councilman, the mayor, and the volunteer fire chief.
As chief he attend many fires. One night I called in a fire across the street from our house. Father almost died when the roof caved in with him on the roof. Second time he almost died, navy, electrical charge when through 2 fingers. If only one, it would have killed him.
As mayor he presided over many special functions. During a special week each winter, there was a celebration for French Canadian week. On this year the town of Surfside in honor of their special French Canadians visitors had sponsored a horse race at this beautiful track in Hialeah. Included in this event was to be a limousine ride to the event and back and attending would be Miss Canada, who I was picked to be her escort. It was all great fun. Standing in the horse circle at the race track for photos. Riding in a limo with a police escort. And kissing miss Canada. It was a special time
The town was one square mile in size but was complete with all its own services.
Movie theater, western, horse actually rode into the theatre and down the aisle
Private islands with no Jews allowed.
A private gold course.
And mafia lived there.
famous Caisus Clay and Sonny Listen fight. Sonny’s practice ring was in surfside
Later when living in the ashram, made a trip back to get a ring in a safe deposit box. Was left over from first engagement, but would work fine. Wanted it to be a surprise. But had no drivers license. Would have been fine but, my care was destroyed a week before with soon to be wife driving it through a stop sign. She kept repeating, “but I was chanting.” So had to use my wife’s car which I did not know had an expired inspection sticker, which got me pulled over in Surfside. Taken to jail, but let me go on my own when they found out who my dad was. Oh, I need to mention I had no drivers license because of too many speeding tickets. I liked to drive fast. It may not be an accident I live in Germany now.
Incident with the Miami Beach cop following me home. My dad’s response was classic understated and relaxed.
Link to neighbor