There's been a heat wave running through our poor town lately. It's been sending everyone scurrying to their basements in relief, or turning on their air conditioning (if they have it). We tried to do some yard work this weekend, but had to take long breaks just to stop the panting and melting. Spraying each other with the hose was quite delightful, though.

Friday was easier to keep cool, because I was hanging in a basket 100 feet in the air held up by a picker truck. And it was windy. Lucky I'm not scared of heights, but when you're swaying in the wind that far up, it does get a little freaky.

So how to stay cool? Well, here are some ideas:

1. Plug in your fan and turn it towards you. Purchase a commercial bag of ice cubes. Empty the entire bag into a wide, shallow container (to contain the water as the ice melts) such as a roasting pan. Place the container of ice right in front of the fan (between the fan and you), at the level of the top of the bed. The ice-cooled air will be noticeably cooler than the room air for the amount of time it takes for the ice to melt -- which is as long as it should take for you to fall asleep!

2. Alternatively, try the towel method. Hang a wet towel from two chairs to hold the ice. The melting ice will wet and chill the towel and the fan will blow that cold air on you. Place a container under the towel to catch the melting ice water. You can use a thread to connect the bottom of the towel with the container to avoid the annoying dripping sound.

3. Take a cool shower or wipe your body down with a cool wash cloth. Without fully drying yourself, hop into bed, and let the air slowly dry you. This will keep you cool for a long time, allowing you to fall asleep.

4. Consider using the "Egyptian Method": wet a sheet or bath towel that is large enough to cover you with cool or cold water, and wring it or run it through the spin cycle on a washing machine until the sheet is quite damp but not dripping wet. Place the dry towel or sheet on your bed underneath your body and use the wet sheet as your blanket. The damp blanket will keep you cool.

5. Take a pair of cotton socks, rinse them in cold water and wring them until they are damp and put them on. Cooling your feet lowers the overall temperature of your skin and body.

6. Sleep in a 'spread eagle' position, and think cool thoughts.

7. Lightly mist a top sheet, and place it in a plastic bag in the freezer. Pull it out just before you're ready to sleep. It'll keep you cool enough to fall asleep.

8. Sleep with your feet out from under the sheets, body heat will escape via your feet.

And don't forget the animals. Maybe you can give them some nice gifts, like these lucky fellows.

Have a great day!
Trent