I don’t know about where you live, but here in Colorado it’s been exceptionally hot and dry. Besides the tragedies of the multiple forest fires, there is the simple day to day challenge of coping with the heat. I’ve researched two ways to stay cooler: through the use of cheap above ground pools for your back yard and with a portable swamp cooler.

I didn’t realize that you can get backyard pools so inexpensively until I did the research for my Squidoo page (or lens as we call them there) Cheap Above Ground Pools. It turns out that you can.  Now, as you might imagine, when you get a pool that is all plastic, it may not last forever, but many people are happy with the use they can get out of one of these things. The kids and grandkids are entertained for hours, and the adults enjoy cooling off too. As for us, what did we do? I tell near the end of that page.

Another device to help keep cool is a portable swamp cooler. It works by evaporation, uses no chemical coolants, and is more eco-friendly and economical than an air condtioner. On the other hand, if you live in someplace like Atlanta, which has the nickname of Hotlanta, this may not be strong enough for your needs.

Whatever you do, stay cool!