Ways I will make it through this South Texas summer:

1. Buy lots of linen: Skirts. Shorts. Dresses. Just lots and lots of linen.

2. Hydration: Skin and body. Basically tons of iced tea. Always.

3. Air Conditioning: There are many people to thank for this modern miracle. Right now I prefer to give a little shout to my grandparents for footing this summer’s bill. Thank God I don’t have to.

4. Snow cone stands: Last summer I went on the prowl for Houston’s best, but this year I’m back in the country. The search is over. Every town, including Danbury, has at least one state of the art snow cone stand. Dreamsicle with cream, I love you.

5. SWIMMING POOL. I am blessed and lucky and completely and utterly thankful that my grandparents have a lovely pool with amazing lounge chairs. Hello, tan.

Bonus: Living 20 minutes from the beach. Having a summer job where shorts are allowed. Lone Star.

In the coming days, probably somewhere around noon-ish, I’ll go sit outside with my laptop and write a follow-up piece: Ways this morbidly hot Texas summer will kill me.