Writing this review on 11 January, it may not seem much praise to say that this is one of the best books I've read this year – but I am pretty sure I will still be saying that by 31 December. Who would have thought that such a great reading experience would have been the result of my first online encounter with the author, Francis Guenette? We met by chance on Twitter on the night of the last papal elections, sharing our amusement at the wry comments being made about the incoming pope, whose name turned out to be the same as Ms Guenette's.
Francis (the author, not the pope), was just self-publishing Disappearing in Plain Sight, her debut novel, which stayed in my memory because of its beautiful cover, intriguing name and setting on Vancouver Island, where I had an aunt and cousins for many years, though I never managed to visit them there. I also enjoyed Francis's blog, which features many more gorgeous photos of the local scenery and some interesting insights into the process of writing novels.
Her book has been on my to-read radar ever since, and, having caught up with some books over Christmas, I was pleased to be able to start reading it a few days into the New Year. As I turned the pages, I started to neglect all but the essentials on my daily to-do list so that I could spend more time reading this fairly long book (6hrs 18mins according to my Kindle).
If Francis is not on commission from the Canadian tourist authority, she should be, because she writes breathtakingly beautiful descriptions of the island, which she somehow incorporates without slowing down or distracting the reader from the story – which is quite an art. But such is the presence and vividness of the setting that it almost feels like a character in the book (and indeed in some respects it is, as it dictates certain key turns of the plot).
The book tells of a group of disparate people, all damaged in some way, brought together in an isolated spot, some purposely seeking redemption, others just thrust there by circumstances. The story opens with new characters arriving to join those already living there, and with the feeling that their arrival will be a catalyst to change for them all. It reminded me of the start of an Agatha Christie story, building up a sense of foreboding as you get to know the players – and it would make a great film or stage play (though there the similarity with Christie ends).
However, the changes – and the people who precipitate those changes – defy the reader's expectations in a way that makes the story constantly engaging and intriguing, and had me more than once spending far longer reading than I intended, because I did not want to leave those characters at a moment of jeopardy.
Slowly the author unpacks the characters' emotional baggage by shifting the focus in successive chapters from one to another. (It's all in the third person, though, so less tiring or demanding for the reader than it would be if written in the first person.) Guenette masterfully reveals what has made these underdogs what they are – and the top dogs too – so that only the hardest-hearted reader could fail to be moved by their plight. (I think I'll never look at a stroppy teenager in the same way again, without wondering what brought them to their state of mind.) Without spoiling the plot, I have to say that the tales of redemption contained within this book are for the reader rewarding and life-affirming.
As a complete optimist, I was rooting for hope and a happy ending, as I'd grown to love and respect the characters so much, while getting to know and understand them better. The conclusion, executed with great care and masterful timing, had the beauty and elegance of the end of a symphony. And, like great music, it had the power to move the audience to tears. I can't remember the last time I cried at the ending of a book, or had such a feeling of creative completion, but this one did it for me.
Postscript: On the night after I finished reading the novel, I happened to watch a documentary about one of my favourite pieces of music, Mike Oldfield's Tubular Bells. This complex, dizzyingly inventive and individualistic album begins and ends with a simple, solitary note, topping and tailing a growing and declining interaction of very different types of musical instrument, including harmonies, clashes, and surprises, even shocks, which make the reversion to the simplest of endings so much more poignant and rewarding. It seemed the perfect match for the story arc of this book. I hope that makes sense to anyone else who knows and loves that music as much as I do.
Read more about Francis Guenette and her work – and wallow in her beautiful pictures of Canada – at her website here: www,disappearinginplainsight.com.
On a completely frivolous and flippant note, here's my blog post about the new Pope Francis, with complete with some of the gems that came up on Twitter that night.
Great review, and I heartily agree. This book is masterly crafted with much insight into the human condition while set in a breathtaking location.
Great review, and I agree completely. I read the novel last April shortly after its release and was completely absorbed in it while on vacation in Mexico. The characters have remained in my mind and I look forward to learning their fate in the coming sequel!
Thanks so much for this wonderful review, Deb. I am humbled in my sheer joy at your take on the characters and story.
It's a pleasure, Francis – the least I can do to thank you for providing such a wonderful read. Can't wait for your next book now!


Select a destination on the flight map to show all scheduled flights from Colima Airport. Find out which airlines operate a specific flight route and what their flight schedule is.
Below you can find a list of alternative airports to Colima (CLQ). The nearest airports to Colima (CLQ) are Manzanillo (ZLO) and Guadalajara (GDL).
Colima Airport (IATA: CLQ, ICAO: MMIA), also known as Licenciado Miguel de la Madrid Airport, is a small domestic airport in Mexico.
At present, there are 2 domestic flights from Colima.
The longest flight from Colima CLQ is a 1,235 mile (1,988 kilometers) non stop route to Tijuana-San Diego TIJ. This direct flight takes around 3 hours and 16 minutes and is operated by Volaris.


The Canadian Mental Health Association has shut down a volunteer-run distress centre in London, Ontario, with an eye towards saving money and streamlining services.
After 48 years of serving community mental health needs across the region, the call-based London and District Distress Centre (LDDC), providing 24-hour phone service by over 100 volunteers, will close down for good in order to make way for a "one-line access system" for people suffering from mental health and addictions within Middlesex, Elgin and Oxford counties.
The $120,000 in funding for the LDDC will be re-directed to ConnexOntario, the Government of Ontario's helpline service, which has the capacity and support model to handle the added influx of calls from London and surrounding areas, according to CMHA Middlesex.
Answering 20,000 calls last year alone, the LDDC has witnessed an alarming increase in need for their services. Over the past 15 years call volume has grown by 35 per cent, with volunteers expecting an additional 25 per cent increase this year. Most notable has been the increase in callers who are feeling suicidal, according to LDDC executive director Cheryl Legate. "We want to make sure everyone is equipped to deal with that. We know people are talking about (suicide) more," says Legate.
According to the CMHA, the economic cost of mental illness to Canada's health care system was a reported $4.7 billion in care for the year 1998 and $3.2 billion in disability and early death, along with an added $6.3 billion spent by Canadians on uninsured mental health services and time off work.
The threat of stigmatization and discrimination present a substantial obstacle to seeking help -almost one half (49 per cent) of people who feel they have suffered from depression or anxiety reporting that they have not gone to see a doctor about the problem.
According to World Health Organization (WHO), mental illness is an increasing problem worldwide, with the number of people suffering from depression and/or anxiety shooting up nearly 50 per cent between 1990 and 2013. The CMH reports that 20 per cent of Canadians will experience a mental illness in their lifetime.


throw, till we repeat the online postings without elaboration.
optical fibres, Douz, Thia, Sousse, sponges in pools.
apologetic records, now limited sky.
as if speaking, foxes swishing tails.
reason; should it be in doubt, venture these to enkindle.


For the session on September 27th, 2014, we had one combat which totalled 1300 xp (700 xp alone for the armored guy, who you weren't even supposed to fight). That means 216.7 xp each for that battle, and I'll round it out to an even 250 xp for good roleplaying all around. I'll update the Story So Far page to reflect this as well.
So as of 9/27/14, everyone should have started with 300 xp (the base for a level 2 character), and should now be at 550 xp.
Alright! Session 2 had two combats (albeit smaller ones), with a total of 600 xp for the group- meaning each person got 100 xp. There was some great roleplaying, too- so I'll bring it up to 125 for the session.
So as of 10/11/14, everyone should be at 675 xp!
Only a couple (small) encounters, resulting in 200 xp for the party (of three people). That means 67 xp for each person there- let's round that out to 75 xp. So if anyone was at all of the sessions so far, they'd be at 750 (only 150 away from leveling).
So as of 10/18/14, Shkn, Ferra, and Malathorn should be at 750, and Ghost, Phileas, and Zeraine are still at 675!
The players defeated four normal goblins (50 xp each) plus I'm giving credit for one goblin boss (200 xp).
Next, I'm giving credit for defeating the dragon as well (450 xp).
The gelatinous cube (450 xp) was also defeated.
This results in 1300 xp, divided by four resulting in 325 xp per person. But add in some amazing roleplaying (especially from Phileus, who I think we can agree stole the session) and puzzle solving, and add in the fact that I think some bonus xp should be given for having completed the first major quest, and I'm bringing the total around to 450 xp per person present. Although Tom and Mary were not present, I feel they should also get the xp for completing the quest, as they certainly contributed as well. So I think I'll give them 100 xp, unless they feel strongly otherwise.
So as of 10/25/14, Malathorn is at 1200 xp (level 3!). Ghost, Phileus, and Z'eraine are at 1125 (level 3!). Sh'kn and Ferra are at 850 (just 50 xp shy of level 3).
For this past session, one encounter with one Ettercap and two Giant Spiders resulted in 850 xp for the group, rounded out to 215 for each player. Let's bump that up to 250 each, shall we?
So as of 11/8/14, Malathorn is at 1450 xp. Ghost, Phileus, and Zerain'e are at 1375. Sh'kn and Ferra are still trailing at 850, I'm afraid.
For this week's session, one encounter with a Cult Fanatic and four Zombies resulted in 650 xp for the group, rounded out (with some roleplaying) to 175 for each player. Edit: And I gave Jeff 5 xp for… something. I can't remember what.
So as of 11/15/14, Malathorn has 1630 xp. Ghost is at 1550 xp. Phileus and Zeraine are still at 1375, and Sh'kn and Ferra are at 1025 (level 3!).
So as of 11/15/14, Ghost is at 1850 xp. Phileus has 1675 xp, Malathorn has 1630 xp, Zeraine has 1375 xp, and Sh'kn and Ferra both have 1335 xp.
Session 8 had three encounters. For the first two (one orc + 2 zombies, then one Cult Fanatic + 2 orcs) resulted in 850 xp for the group, meaning 170 each- let's round that out to 250 for some good roleplaying. Ghost, Malathorn, and Phileus went on and fought an extra encounter, but that one was a bit hard to adjudicate since they made a tactical retreat. So let's say an extra 50 xp for each of them.
I forgot to post the XP for session 9, so I'll do both 9 and 10 in the same post.
Session nine had only one encounter, and it was a big one. One Priest, one Acoyte, two Zombies and two Steam Mephits resulted in… 700 xp? Is that it? I feel like an encounter that big should have been worth more. Let's bump it up to 800, for an even 200 each (three players plus Elise), and I'll throw in an extra 100 for dealing with the angry ghost. That means 300 for Ghost, Phileus, and Malathorn.
Session ten had one encounter as well, with two Displacer Beasts bringing the xp to 600 (150 to each of Ghost, Phileus, Sh'kn, and Ferra). Good roleplaying brings that to 200, and I'm going to give everyone (even Malathorn, who was not present) a bonus 150 xp for completing their second quest.
Zerain'e's experience will no longer be counted. In the event that he returns, I will most likely have him take the xp total of the lowest player.
Session eleven had… basically zero encounters. But have no fear! There was some amazing roleplaying, and I had a great time from beginning to end. (Except for the book-related puns.) For this session, I'm going to award everyone 350 experience points. That puts Phileus and Malathorn at level 4 (along with Ghost), and Sh'kn and Ferra aren't far behind!


text:
New Documents Paint Picture Of More Horror For Barahona Twins
Filed Under:Abuse, Barahona, Barahona Case, Barahona Children, Barahona Tragedy, Carmen, Carmen Barahona, Child Abuse, Cockroach, Crime, Family Tragedy, Feet, Forter Mother, Gio Benitez, Hot Sauce, Jorge, Jorge Barahona, Katia Garcia, Murder, Nubia, Pick up, Victor
(Source: Miami-Dade State Attorney's Office) Victor and Jorge Barahona
MIAMI (CBSMiami.com) – Yet another group of documents and recordings were released Monday by attorneys in the murder and child abuse case against Jorge and Carmen Barahona, and with each new documents the horrors done against their adopted twins seem to mount.
Last Valentine's day, police found the decomposing body of ten-year-old Nubia Barahona in the back of her adoptive father's truck. In the front seat, they found her twin brother Victor suffering seizures from chemical burns.
Jorge and Carmen Barahona now sit in jail awaiting trial for murder and child abuse. Monday, prosecutors released recorded statements from Victor's foster mom, Katia Garcia.
She told an investigator what she says little Victor has told her.
"That his father used to pour hot sauce in his ears, eyes, nose, and mouth," said Garcia. "His father made him eat a cockroach."
"He asked me if I knew that the stomach eats itself when you're starving," she said.
Garcia said Victor remembers that Nubia's feet were wounded because they would be tied up with wires.
"That his father used to place his sister's feet, submerge his sister's feet, in Clorox and Pinesol," said Garcia.
And then there's this:
"He saw some of my eyelashes and then he said that his was shut with crazy glue, and lost all of his lashes when he opened his eyes," she said.
Garcia said, at times, Victor did not know if he'd live.
"That his father used to put a bag over his head and that he used to choke him. He says that there was a couple of times that he was very close to dying," said Garcia.
Garcia also told investigators that the Barahonas gave the children only bread and milk. once a week.
She says leftovers from dinner would be given to the family dog.
Caught On Video: Miami-Dade Police Officer Discharges Weapon; Dog Shot, Killed

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Danika first came to our house as a foster dog. We learned that she had a difficult life, and was already returned several times. We had a rescue cat, named Patrick, and we knew that Danika had lived with a cat previously. For a while, Patrick would tease Danika by walking back and forth right next to her nose. He also liked to jump onto the dining room table and try to smack her on the head with his paw as she looked up at him. When he crossed the line, she would jump at him, he would jump to the floor, and the chase was on. Sometimes, it sounded like a horse was running through our house. I must hasten to add, though, that these incidents did not appear to affect their friendship; and they seemed to respect each other. After spending a coupe of months with Danika, we decided that we wanted to give this dog her forever home – she earned the right to have her own family again.
She was not an easy dog. Being in foster care for more than half of her life, it reinforced the attitude of independence and distancing from her family. It looked as if she decided to not form attachments any more. Still, as time went by, Danika became a little warmer. She loved chasing and grabbing the ball, and when racing to it, she pounded the ground as if her paws were hoofs. Her expression at those times was pure puppy. She also played like a puppy in the snow and couldn't contain herself; she'd yip, bark, jump and roll in the snow and jump to catch snowballs and even snowflakes. She also loved playing tug of war, and when inside would curl up near our feet and relax.
Danika had interesting tastes and manners. She wouldn't eat her kibble unless it was "garnished" with some treats – usually Beef Liver pieces. She never ever surfed kitchen counters or trash can – she was above that. In the evening before retiring for sleep she'd come and press her head to me, asking to scratch her ears. And she would lick my hands, saying "Thank you!" in her language so clearly… She rarely felt comfortable indoors and preferred staying outside, playing or not. But once in a while she would really show her friendship and gratitude – and our hearts would melt… She wasn't as independent and separate as she tried to look.
Danika also managed to impress our local police. Once my wife's mother needed help and the town police came to rescue. Danika (probably recognizing the uniforms and "business" smells – leather, gun oil, equipment belts) let them in, went to my wife's mother, and sat near her. The officers were greatly impressed by such intelligent behavior, and praised Danika to us when we spoke with them later that evening.
Danika is resting with our beloved Tasha at the Proctor Cemetery in Nashua. RIP, dear friend!
Danika is a beautiful four year-old female GSD that had been with her original owners from the time she was a young puppy. However, a change in the family's situation made it so they were no longer able to keep their beloved GSD. Saddened at the prospect of giving up Danika and wanting to find a good match for her, the family called GSRNE to see if we could help find her a new loving home.
Danika has many individual characteristics that make her unique. One of her most notable characteristics is what her family refers to as her "tracker nose." She loves to play a game of "find it" and will retrieve treats from shoes, atop bookshelves, behind lamps, and many other hiding spots. Wherever you hide it, Danika is determined to find it.
Really, though, Danika loves to engage in any type of play. She is enthusiastic about Frisbees and Kongs and will gladly sit and wait on command until you throw the ball to her. She loves opportunities to run and play and has a puppyish quality to her when she is running around the yard with her recently retrieved toy.
Danika is also a true water dog. She absolutely loves to swim and is happy to take a dip in fresh water or ride the waves at the beach. And if a daytrip to a local water spot isn't in the plans, Danika is just as happy to stay home and chase the hose or leap into the path of the garden sprinkler.
Danika has previously been crate trained. While likes to have her crate available as a place of refuge and comfort, she most often has spent nights curled up on her blanket at the foot of her owner's bed. The use of a crate in her adoptive home will help her transition into her new space by providing her a familiar space and a place of her own.
Danika is not an overly affectionate dog that lavishes her person with kisses and nose nudges. She is, however, a very loyal dog that is appreciative of attention. She wants to be with her person at all times, but is not overly demanding of her owners. Despite her tendency to develop such strong human bonds, Danika has shown no problems with separation anxiety. She does well when left alone in the home or in a vehicle and patiently awaits the return of her human counterparts.
Danika does have some food allergies, but has done very well on foods that do not have wheat or grain. Her food allergies have been easily managed in the past and potential adopters will need to maintain a consistent diet for her. She has lived previously with a dog-savvy feline without problems but may be best in a home without cats. Danika would be happy being the only dog in a household, but would likely do well as a companion for a sociable male.
The ideal home for Danika would be one where she can quickly become part of the everyday household activity. She loves the attention of her people and enjoys regular interaction and activity. She need not be the center of attention at all times; she is just as happy to join you while you work at your desk or do some gardening in the yard. As long as she can be with you, Danika is a happy dog.
Danika filled the heart of her owners for over four years and was a wonderful pet and companion to them. If you think you have space in your home and your heart for this wonderful girl, please give us a call.