It's a whole different world in the sun! | Weather

I overheard a woman at Cal Anderson Park ask her friend "Where did this all come from?" as she looked through her peacock blue shades at the array of dogs swimming in the fountain, children frolicking with haphazard glee, acrobatic Frisbee tossers and hundreds of folks sprawled out on the grass.

In economic and political times that remain tumultuous, there was nary a glimpse of stress or contention on display in Cal Anderson on Wednesday evening. From those who nestled on the park's benches and occasionally looked up from their books to glimpse at the sun, to parents who pushed their tots in swing sets to persistent demands of "Higher! Higher!", the collective joy was palpable.

It's a cliche, but in the spring, at least, the best things in life really are free.