It's been awhile since I've heard an actual announcement from the Emergency Broadcast System (although now it’s the called the Emergency Alert System). I'm sure plenty of kids like myself who grew up in the seventies remember the TV commercials with the broadcast tower screen shot accompanying the warning signal and the announcer saying...

This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. This is only a test. (loud extended beep) If this had been an actual emergency, the attention signal you just heard would have been followed by news blah blah blah…

The last I heard a real announcement was back in 1980 when Mt. St. Helens blew. After the movie The Day After aired in the early eighties, there was considerable attention paid to the Emergency Broadcast System and what would happen in the advent of a nuclear attack.

So imagine my surprise when I heard and actual EBS announcement on the radio as I was on my way home from dropping off my kids for an evening swim at a friend’s house. I got an instant feeling of panic accompanied by that tingly feeling that I get in my extremities when something happens which causes a rush of adrenaline, say like suddenly braking to avoid hitting someone. It’s amazing how well the Cold War programming works.

I momentarily considered turning back around to go get my kids, but then recovered my senses. The announcement was a severe thunderstorm warning was for an area two hours drive to the southeast of where we are. Plus, the pool is indoors. I forced myself to relax and take a deep breath.

But I’m still looking out the window every so often to check the weather. On the eastern horizon there is blue sky, on which encroaches a front of thick dark grey clouds. The lightning can be seen off to the east, and with the sun going down now, the clouds reflect colors of orange, red and purple. Plus there is a partial rainbow. I can hear mild rumbling of thunder in the distance. It still feels warm and humid in the apartment tonight, so I’ve opened up all the windows and am sitting outside for a while enjoying mother nature’s little show.