See Page Larkin Columns via wordpress “Suddenly Single Minded”
What are women looking for in a date? Calvin Trillin
They all agreed: they wished they had a boyfriend like Calvin Trillin, the prolific writer, humorist, and dedicated husband.
This fall, the ‘San Francisco Lit Bit Book Club’ selected “Alice” as their theme and they read, “A Town Like Alice” a classic by Nevil Shute, Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland” and Trillin’s book, a sweet love-letter to his wife, “About Alice.”
Calvin (Bud)Trillin and Alice met at a smart party of kindred spirits in New York City and fell in love. They got married, had kids, and almost had a full happily-ever-after life until cancer reared it’s ugly head and did a happiness-interruptus.
Love me like Calvin loves Alice
The ten members of the club swooned over the sweet and funny valentine the book developed into. They all wanted to be in that same relationship where their beau, partner or husband would be so smitten with them that he would write a book extolling their finest virtues.
Who wouldn’t want to have a Calvin Trillin in their lives? Famed writer for the New Yorker, columnist for the Nation- and bonus: Trillin also has a reputation the all-time, most clever, and funniest food writer.
They ‘devoured’ his hysterical book, “Alice, Let’s Eat.”
His satirical books about food and romance inspired the Lit Bit Group (comprised of three divorcees, two widows and three not-married-yet-still looking) group to plan a ‘singles party.’
Three of Bud’s hilarious books on eating: American Fried, Alice, Let’s Eat, and Third Helpings – were compiled in 1994 into a single volume called The Tummy Trilogy.
Celebrating Romance
The women were unanimous: they would plan a fun party held at a perfect restaurant. It would be a ‘smart party’ and they would only invite interesting people.
One Caveat: each woman had to bring a member of the opposite sex. The invitee had to be single and available and had to be a person they knew would enjoy the event and fit in well. No grumps. No grouse.No duds.
The big debate was deciding at which restaurant to throw the party? In honor of Trillin’s food penchant, they tried to decide between Piccco in Larkspur, Lark Creek Steak at Westfield Center, or perhaps Sea Salt in Berkeley? The group happily travelled to Marin to Picco – and enjoyed a marvelous meal, fun and stimulating company. Success. The best part: the group decided to develop a Dine-around-Date-around Social Group. Let’s Eat!
“There is no sincerer love than the love of food.” George Bernard Shaw
San Francisco Dating@50 Examiner, Page Larkin, welcomes your feedback, questions and queries at page.larkin@gmail.com