The epitome of optimism?

[DanaC]

Here I am, sitting in my tiny living room listening to the patter of raindrops. I look out of the window at a grey Yorkshire sky, cloud troubled and missing any sign of the sun. I wonder if the weather will clear up any time soon, or if I need to bite the bullet and walk my dog in the constant downpour. And then......

I hear an entirely incongruous sound: the tinkling tune of an Ice-cream van, touting for trade, calling out with its music to the local children in the hope they'll buy Iced creams and lollies.

Is that the epitome of optimism? Or merely desperation?