Summer is finally here and there's so much living to do! But, to paraphrase a famous song, "It's summertime and the living should be easy!"

There are so many things to do, without a lot of fuss and bother, and without dipping too deep into the piggy bank.

Of course, cookouts, barbecues and outdoor parties are obvious choices. Sometimes it's nice to just throw some burgers and dogs on the grill and sit around sipping iced tea with your friends. There's nothing wrong with that!

But what if we take that party just one step further and add a theme? Nothing elaborate, just a little something to make your event special. You're hot anyway; why not make it a pool party?

Sure, you say, that's fine if you have a pool, but we don't. Of course you don't, few people do. But what about a child's wading pool filled with cold water. You and your friends can sit around the pool with your feet dangling in the water! Not only will you have fun (let's face it - it's fun to be a little silly!) but if your ankles are cool, the rest of you will feel cool as well.

Tell your friends to wear their "beach gear", have some little umbrellas to put in their drinks, fun-in-the-sun music in the background and you're good to go.

O.K., that's not your style. Fine. How about picking a vacation spot? Aruba, Hawaii, The Caribbean, Las Vegas, Ireland, Italy - anywhere you'd like to take a summer vacation. Simple decorations and a menu to match will allow you to take your friends on that summer trip with you.

Tell your friends to be sure and bring their cameras - they are tourists remember! Place a few signs around the yard (if you're outdoors, and after all it IS summer) indicating Photo Opportunities and Tourist Spots. Be creative, not practical. Nobody is really going to believe you think you old oak tree is a tourist spot, but when you say it is the first tree to be planted in New Orleans (or Paris or wherever you are pretending to be) I guarantee your friends will have their pictures taken by it.

Just for laughs and isn't that what's it all about? Have an old statue in the attic somewhere? All vacation spots have a famous statue. Put yours up with another appropriate sign. You get the idea.

Still not your style? Plan a mystery trip. Ask your friends to chip in whatever amount is needed to rent a small bus (or limo depending on the size of your group). But don't tell them where they are going.

Maybe you could go on a tour of the old neighborhood you all grew up in. Or someplace like Blossom for a concert, or a special restaurant you've all been dying to try.

There are ethnic festivals all over town almost every weekend, and nobody will have to drive. No worries about directions or parking or meeting at the right time or place or even drinking. You've got the bus and your day/evening will be carefree.

Lolly the Trolley is always fun, and so is the Goodtime! Act like a tourist one day and see the sites of Cleveland and the surrounding area that you would see if you were here on vacation. Maybe you and your friends can take turns picking "tourist sights". Variety is always exciting!

Don't want to pay the big-ticket price for an Indians game? Go to any neighborhood field, almost any day of the week and watch the little ones play. You don't have to know them; it's fun just watching them enjoy themselves.

How about taking in some of the free outdoor concerts individual cities sponsor. Check with your city to see what's out there.

Don't be afraid to ask your friends to help with food and beverages. The idea is to get together and share some good times. Helping with the food will only add to the feeling of camaraderie, plus it will allow you to get together more often. People will feel comfortable coming to your home more often if they are able to contribute.

Keeping your guest list small will allow you to entertain more often. If you and your friends are retired, there's no reason you can't have your party mid-week.

The key is to keep it simple and be creative. Summer is a great time to get together with friends and family. How you go about doing that is up to you, the possibilities are endless.