Here in the Midwest, we are pragmatic and have little patience with that astronomical stuff.

It's summer when:

school's out for the year
it's hot
you can eat tomatoes you grew yourself
beautiful white cumulus clouds jet up to the stratosphere
swimming pools are open
cicadas buzz
beer tastes good.

PoppaGator, I symphathize with your summers. Try sitting on the porch in the evening with friends while sipping creme de menthe with an ice cube in it.