I’m a classic New Englander with a hang up about the region’s weather variability, and as I’ve dragged along during the heat wave, I can hardly believe that I was in my last trimester with Laurel during this time of year. Clearly, the only reason I survived was frequent soft serve twist cones.

If you’re looking to submerge yourself in something more expansive than the backyard kiddie pool, there are lots of public spaces to cool off. The Boston Common Frog Pond Spray Pool opens tomorrow, the City of Boston’s pools and cooling centers have opened, and the Mass. DCR offers directories for pools, fresh water beaches, and ocean beaches (including specific listings for handicapped accessible beaches and pools) across the state.