Damn you, Sister Bertrille

I don't imagine many people share my feelings, but today I have a bone to pick with Sister Bertrille.

You may know her as Gidget or Norma Rae, but today, Sally Field is the spokesperson for Boniva, one of the sponsors of the Northwest Flower & Garden Show. I'd like to give Sally credit, and assume she didn't mean to kick my ass this afternoon. It's not her fault my seminar on family gardening projects was scheduled opposite her keynote presentation on healthy gardening.

I never had a chance. In a room that seats 360, I had 17 people. Don't get me wrong. Those were 17 great people, who participated fully, and I gave as good a show as ever. But come on! I like to think I'd attract a decent crowd if I hadn't been up against an Oscar-winner. (They like her! They really, really like her!)

Three guesses what I did to console myself. That's right...I went out for a late lunch. Two friends had suggested the Dahlia Lounge, but it's only open for dinner on weekends, so I poked my head into the nearby Serious Pie. I liked the vibe and ordered a glass of chianti, a green salad, and the special pizza of the day: olive oil, beet greens, anchovies, and a hot pepper cheese. Excellent taste combo but skimpy on the anchovies. I told the waitress when she stopped by to ask how everything was, and she offered to bring me a few more. We agreed there should be at least one piece of anchovy on each piece of pizza.

It was a little pricey, but I'm sure we all agree I deserved a treat. As for Sally Field...she's already on her way back to L.A. to attend some big party at Jeffrey Katzenberger's. It seems Steven Spielberg is going to be there and Sally wants to schmooze him for a movie role. Me? I'm looking forward to tomorrow's presentation on Small Space Gardening. It can only be an improvement. Right?