Here is the first installment of VIPs on Corona Island. Don’t forget to send in news from your Corona Island. If VIP Nicholas can do it all the way in Guam, certainly all of you can contribute as well. You can send them to cnmvipvoice@gmail.com.
Stay safe and healthy everyone.
VIP Karen
How thoughtful of you good rangers to keep in touch with us, your VIP crew. Thank you.
As for maintaining a mental calm through this horrid pandemic, I find that I am working at only about 59%. What is it in us that keeps our productivity diminished during this time? We’re mentally side-tracked by the fear of what could happen to us and what is happening to people we’ll never know. I have enjoyed walking under dramatic skies lately, where storm clouds and sun compete for space. I am thankful for home, a little $$ in the bank, two cats/two dogs, and people like you who will be there when we can finally get back to a semblance of what our normal used to look like. I miss that little ‘house’ on the hill and time with Kim. She won’t get near me. Thankful for internet, cell phones, and a confident sense of an uninterrupted connection of heart and mind to lots of people. To our good health…
VIP Nicholas
During this time I have been enjoying the comforts of a hotel in Guam while the ship is being cleaned to get back to deployment (yes part of the ship that is all over the news). The picture is from the balcony overlooking a beach. Seems like there are some tide pools during low tide, but won’t get the opportunity to explore them while here being confined to the room. However, should be getting back to the ship again and continuing deployment. Look forward to hopefully be back in time for summer and getting back into the volunteering spirit. Hope the message finds you all well and everyone is staying safe during this crazy time.
VIP Sean
Since I live out in the desert, it is not too hard to practice social distancing.
VIP Mary
I have been having fun playing with the 3D augmented reality on my cell phone.
VIP Judy
Great to hear everyone on the phone hook-up. Sure do miss my park time, so nice to get the wonderful pictures and update on what’s going on. Speaking of Loni’s sharing, I too am spending a lot of time with weeds in the backyard, along with little bugs, stickers , foxtails, worms etc., but mostly enjoy communing with the many ladybugs. I did find out my neighbor bought some not long ago so I guess they aren’t quite home grown, but they are surely welcome in my yard & so cute.
The ground is really soft for weeding, so my dog, Angel, & I spend a lot of time digging up the dirt. Then the birds & crows sweep in to get the bugs & worms. However, if my little dog sees them she barks & barks & chases them right off. Great entertainment for both of us. Of course I should be cleaning out “stuff” & I did do a bit of shredding on rainy days. And doing this computer training class called Drivesharp to get a discount on my AAA Car insurance. Our Fellowship does a conference call every evening so I was familiar with the *6 & how it works. All in all it hasn’t been bad for me. Neighbors have been really kind. Keeping in touch with friends & relatives.
Looking forward to seeing all & the critters in the future. Judy
VIP Larry (new volunteer)
Hello!
In the VIP conference call yesterday I thought I heard something about sharing photos of CNM with the group. Here are a couple for you to view. I took these and a few more in March of 2017
This is a native herb in the nightshade family. I think it is Cleveland’s tobacco/Nicotiana clevelandii, although to be certain of that I would have had to do some flower dissection, which I do not do in protected areas without permission. 
pygmy weed/Crassula connata. This is a native annual herb that is in the same plant family as Dudleyas. These are less than 3 inches tall. 
sea dahlia/Leptosyne maritima. A spectacular native perennial herb.
VIPs Becky and Dan
At first we enjoyed having some down time to rest and catch up on a few things. That lasted about a day and a half.
Then we decided we’d work in our backyard and try to get ahead of the weeds. After a few days, the rains came.
So we decided we would deep-clean the whole house, but we’d clean one room at a time so it wouldn’t be overwhelming. There are lots of rooms, and some are tougher than others, but we are down to our last couple rooms and we’re enjoying the sense of accomplishment.
We’ve also been watching television more than usual — we’ve rediscovered some old daytime shows we watched growing up, and we’re taking advantage of the National Theatre Live productions being shown for free during the pandemic.
We’re video chatting with family, and taking walks when we can (crossing the street a lot to maintain social distance). It’s been a treat to see Joel and Nadine on occasion, since they live in the neighborhood.
We’re especially enjoying seeing photos from the park and participating in the conference calls with staff and other VIPs. We miss Cabrillo so much and hope we’ll all be back together as soon as possible. Stay safe and stay healthy everyone!
VIP Romi
I miss seeing crabs at the Tidepools, so I made a mask to cheer me up!
CNM VIP Voice 