Today was a great day, a sunny and mild day, to see The Gates installation in Central Park.  The letters in the Times today about the exhibit were a pleasure in themselves -- everything from "I was deeply moved" to "It is in my opinion bad art, an example of extreme hubris and not pleasing to look at."  

So I had to go.

I guess I'm closer to the "deeply moved" camp.  Going reminded me of the great happiness I used to feel when I managed to visit the cherry blossoms in full bloom in DC.  Those gnarled trees cover themselves with delicate glory for such a brief time, and when it's sunny and you have time to walk under them you feel lucky.  People show up and have lunch under the trees, or lie on their backs and watch the blossoms against the sky.  Just trees! 

Same thing in Central Park today.  There was a festival air around those orange hangings shot through with shiny threads (really, they're orange, not saffron).  Stately waves, undulating settings, and all here for such a short time.  Like cherry blossom time, this is a time for wedding photographs near a gate or two.