Time Enough at Last

Time enough at last, a short story/ show from the Twilight Zone series. A man survives a tremendous calamity in which he is the only survivor. He was so frustrated with his life before and the rush of all things that he gets very overjoyed at the thought of having time enough to read any book he so chooses.
I am reminded in some ways of this character, I have been given time to do some things which I have put off because of this virus looming over us all like a dangerous war we cannot see. It has lead me to think myself into an optimistic state of mind to survive these long hours of solitude with my children. Which only momentarily provide me with comfort before turning on each other and becoming hostile as many siblings do.
Some of my friends on Facebook suggest different activities to try with them to keep them entertained and one I have found to be really rewarding is painting with watercolor and salt which my friend Gladys sent me a tutorial on.
It took me several days to find the time to do an activity with my kids. I have always wanted this painting, which is very saturated on the internet, I adore it none the less. So I decided since I have the time to try and perfect my own version of this piece.

While it's going to take me a little time to learn different techniques with this new medium I am really excited to see where this is going! :)
Namaste,
Nova Leigh

Social Distancing as a Poem

It's been a few days but I wanted to share my newest poem with the world. Many of us are still trying to process social distancing. I wanted to write something to help me get some of the heaviness of this time off my mind and onto paper.
I really encourage others to do art or draw (even if you don't think you are good at it)

The Void
---------------------------

The world has sent us away
tucked like corners of a bed
never to touch
to remain distant
distant distractions
lifestyle rearranged
scattered into pieces
to protect
to bind the helpless
into life itself
and allow more breath to fill lungs
to take time to contemplate
absorb
without the distraction
of each other
to understand
what life is
beyond
green paper
beyond the hurry
I'm sure to some it's like they were just escorted
off the spinning axis of life
fast New York pace
Temptation to break from four walls
to break from thoughts
But you are in a Southern Slow now...
southern lull
sipping tea
sipping lemonade
and watching the grey skies roll
and rain make the understanding
it too drums with your heart
that you insist on ignoring
For night life,
for parties
for clubs
We are given this curse
this gift
by mother nature
as if she didn't have a voice
pitiful humans
you are blaming animals
blaming God
Looking but you were quiet
smoke and factory
Industrial Age
Melting and burning her
Extinct
Extinct
Extinct
like they only matter
when they become a collectible stamp
blame millennials
blame boomers
but don't forget
your own hands
your own voices
silent .....
thinking....
a product of social distancing .....

-By Nova Leigh Walker
       3/26/20

Pandemic day one....

3/30/2020

Connecting us globally we have the gift of the world wide web...
I was advised that since I am going through this moment in history I should submit my account of the situation from my point of view.
I have fiddled with the idea of blogging for some time now but never really committed to it. I am not in my own opinion a very interesting person but some may say I am "something". I would like to apologize in advanced if I make errors in my grammar and plead with those to read past my shortcomings to take on the full intent of what I would like to say.
March 8th was my birthday, in the year 2020, I truthfully thought for the longest time that the Aztecs were right and the world would end in 2012. My children would have been new born and two years of age. I am so grateful that I have been gifted this time with my children being 7 and 9.
With all this being said I honestly don't know what is going to happen. In January there was talk about a new virus sweeping through Wuhan, China that had started claiming many lives. At first the talks said that it would only affect the very elderly and the terminally ill, as it made landfall into the United States which is where I live I quickly understood that was not always the case. This virus is called Covid 19 or Coronavirus. It is vicious and taking many lives.
No real truth has surfaced on the origin of this deadly virus but there are many speculations, involving animals, labs, and bio warfare. We as citizens have no clue what the governments are doing and what these superpowers hold. I am so concerned right now because I am immune compromised and I am trying to be very careful not to travel or expose myself by interacting with too many people. I am told social distancing is one way to protect yourself from exposure so the last 3 weeks I have spent with my children at home.
I am not the only mother, parent or guardian at home and at risk of losing my job. I am trying so very hard to be careful not to be infected. I only venture out when I absolutely have to, when I return I have to sanitize all the groceries I buy and change my clothes and shoes.
On Saturday, March 28th we received our first confirmed infected person in Alexander County. I intend to follow this pattern in climax and hopefully its downfall.  I am praying that the people of this county will start being very serious about this epidemic. I feel like up to this point even though they see it on the news they have lived in a bubble of  "this can't happen here" I have lived a life of what I thought was a foundational reality only to be shook to changes beyond my control.
On March 30th our state governor Roy Cooper issued a stay at home order. I really hope people take this seriously.
I am worried. Worried because no one seems to be wearing a mask, worried they are mocking this virus. Worried they are hoarding supplies like Toilet Paper, Cleaning supplies and soap.
I am currently schooling the kids from home which is not something I have ever thought I would do as an adult. I am going most days to the school to pick up food for the kids as I am only working one day a week at my job.
My name is Nova Leigh, I am an artist, mother, manager, and wife....



Currently North Carolina has :

NC Cases*	NC Deaths**	NC Completed Tests***	Currently Hospitalized
1,498	8	23,106	157