Usually you could have both, because the mozzarella store, Joe’s, in Arthur Avenue, is in so close proximity to the New York Botanical Garden, where the cherry trees are currently in bloom. The Sakura festival is upon us.
However, it’s 2:00, and “we sell out of the burrata early” says the counter man, not surprising when you consider how creamy, gooey, mild and scrumptious is burrata. Joe’s has a wall of imported tomatoes.
Hoary cheeses hang above.
A picnic sandwich will have to suffice, al fresco.
It’s a good place to take pictures of people taking pictures. Everyone is doing it.
To hide behind the mysterious Prunus pendula.
We see a man juggling oranges as he walks along. And a mother with feet all dressed up for spring.
An artist named Yayoi Kusama had polka dotted the grounds. “Forget yourself and become one with nature!” says this mad person. “Obliterate yourself with polka dots!” Fabric stretches around the soaring red oaks. Patrons buy polka dot ponchos in the gift shop.
A funny combination. Blossoms.
And dots.
Jean Zimmerman 
been my experience that trees of such an age may, wink wisely, groan of old age, and sometimes sneer at our quick ways–but seldom have I known one to smirk…then again perhaps all New Yorkers smirk.