It’s the Zombie Apocalypse!

Last night at 8pm, California Governor Gavin Newsom gave the announcement that our entire state would be under a “shelter in place” order starting at midnite due to the lovely CabronaVirus.

I’m an artist, writer and conspiracy theorist, so had been tracking the Coronavirus all through January from my Texas studio. When the virus arrived in North America, we had to decide where to ride it out. 

Our family and big gigs are in California. The Golden State is our home base, but we often travel to perform, exhibit and present. Our Texas studio, Casa Colibri, is a creative refuge, a place we plan out the year and catch up on professional projects. Our dear amigo, the painter & performer David Zamora Casas uses the space as a creative salon & exhibition showcase throughout the year. Casa Colibri is nestled in central San Antonio, a charming city with a vibrant creative community. It was a tough choice, but family won out. So we packed up our two siamese cats and headed back to Santa Ana, California in the heart of Orange County.

I set up our vegetable garden the same day we arrived. The panic had just started. Since I already had an emergency stash of food, we didn’t have to suffer the long lines and frenzy at supermarkets, but seeing the all the empty shelves was nonetheless unsettling. Rice and Toilet Paper ran out first, then Clorox wipes and Dairy. There was not an egg to be found anywhere and powdered eggs sold out online. I’ll never take an egg for granted again. 

Folks are scared and bewildered. City Hall, the Library, the Zoo, and all Community Centers are closed to the public. Almost no one is working and residents wonder how they’re going to make ends meet. We’ve also learned that 7 of our county firefighters have caught the virus. They’ve only tested 30.

I helped my cousin, Councilman Vincent Sarmiento, make a video to reassure our Santa Ana residents that basic services like trash, water and street cleaning would continue uninterrupted:

Here’s the Spanish-language version:

I’ve been busy making flyers and care packages for some of the seniors on my block. Am alerting folks to County food assistance for senior citizens which delivers basic staples. With grocery stores filled by crowds of desperate shoppers, our elders are safer receiving food deliveries at home.

I’ve also been working in my garden all afternoon. Planted Tomatoes, Squash, Corn, Cucumbers, Watermelon and herbs. Found a chingo of Dragon Tongue Beans and am germinating them. Thankfully it’s been raining steadily all week so my little plants are rooting well.

My “Victory Garden” is a great solace in this madness. In seeing these tender green sprouts grow, I feel connected to the future. It gives me hope that there will BE a future.  

I struggle to remember, “We are Spiritual Beings having a Human Experience” and work to stay calm as we start this new phase. It feels like the beginning of a great sacred ceremony.

Sending you all Love and Light as we enter this cycle. I hope we all make it thru.

Valor y Fuerza!