Keeping cool

Some really great, easy ideas for keeping the house cooler on those blazing hot Oklahoma summer days I'm sure we're gonna get any time now.

102 and No Air Conditioning on the Blue Skies Urban Farm blog. Fresh tips: honeycomb insulated blinds; siesta schedule.

Keeping the Heat Out on the Green Living Ottawa blog. Excellent tips: Coolaroo shade sail for outdoor living areas, or sunny walls and windows; window tinting film that can be removed for winter and reinstalled for summer.

The big tip I have to offer was my mother-in-law's excellent idea: use a tower fan in the main living area. We got one and its lovely oscillating breeze has been a huge help in keeping the a/c to a bare minimum all day and into the evening.