The Assault of the Summer Heat and How to Survive It

WOW! What a way to start the summer.  Heat advisories are cautioned from the south to the northeast before June 21^st, the first day of summer.

I don’t know about you, but I’m looking for new and different ways to survive this summer heat, possibly finding a cooler place to vacation.  I recently read an article that suggested the following activities to do with your family:

1. Host a potluck recipe exchange with your neighbors or friends. Invite your friends to bring a dish you enjoy in the summer to share as well as the recipe.
2. Host a summertime storytelling event. Meet in a home, community room, or church fellowship hall.  Invite parents to bring their toddlers and young children to enjoy.  Each family brings their favorite book to take turns reading to the kids.
3. Host a weekly game day. Bring your favorite boxed game, cards, scrabble, etc., to start a challenge with other participants.
4. Host a weekly craft workshop. Take turns hosting a simple craft for the young children to work on, with a snack at the end.
5. Start a summer book club or book-sharing event. Notify neighbors and friends to attend and agree on a book to talk about or bring, a book or two that you might exchange or allow someone else to read.

Here are six suggested ways you can stay cool in this extreme heat.

1. First and foremost, stay hydrated. Drink water, water, water.  Don’t forget about your pets.
2. Find air conditioning. If you do not have air conditioning in your home, find someplace where there is air conditioning – such as a shopping mall, movie theatre, restaurant, or public library.
3. Wear sunscreen if you must be outside for certain strenuous activities.
4. Never leave pets or people in a closed car.
5. Check your insulation and add more insulation.

Listed below are several destinations you might want to check out as they stay cool even in the summer:

• Upper Peninsula, Michigan (highs 75, lows 50s)
• Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada (highs 70s, lows 40s)
• San Francisco, California (high 67)
• Denali National Park, Alaska (highs 66, lows 44)
• Olympic National Park, Washington (highs 67, lows 50)
• Acadia National Park, Maine (highs in the upper 70s, low 59)

I realize that currently the price of gasoline is exceptionally high, the highest it’s ever been, but it is important for families to share a vacation or a summer break learning and to explore this big world or the United States.  As we experience new places and meet new people, we become less judgmental and prejudicial of those around us.  It also allows us to try new foods and activities.

I hope you can stay cool for the next few months during this heat wave.  Try a wet washcloth dabbing your neck and forehead if nothing else works.

Happy Summer!  And I hope a cold ice cream cone is in your future.

All my best,

Julie