Quarantine by John Smolens

Book Review: Quarantine

It is seldom that I meet a book that I didn't like. Unfortunately, this in one of those times. After reading the publishers synopsis, I was very excited to read it. 

The premise of the story is that a ship comes into port with a contagious disease. Because it is the 1790's, the best way to deal with this is to quarantine the ship in the harbor. Of course, there are characters that don't like this idea, but a stubborn and trying-to-be-enlightened physician mandates it. When the sickness makes its way ashore, it begins to decimate the population. Black markets for semi-effective drugs begin, and a pest house must be set up. 

The potential is there for a fantastic story, but the author never seems to be able to decide who is the main character. Is it the Harbormaster's son, Leander, who's entire family is wiped out during the quarantine? Is it Miranda the greedy and unscrupulous mother of the ship's owner? Is it Giles the physician that initiates the quarantine and is Miranda's second son who doesn't seem to have much familial emotion towards his mother? Is is Marie, the woman from the ship with the mysterious and questionable past who is pulled from the Harbor almost drowned? Is it Enoch or Samuel, the son and grandson respectively of Miranda the profligate offspring in the dysfunctional family?

Without knowing who is driving the story, it is easy to lose interest in what is essentially a snapshot of a harbor town under quarantine. The characters needed more depth to be sympathetic or even understandable. It is unlikely that the upright physician will go from the death bed of the woman he has loved for years and finding out he has a son that he can not acknowledge to within a week of so having a relationship with a woman that may or may not be after his family's fortune in the back seat of a carriage. 

The book tests the limits of inevitability in its characters beyond the breaking point. With so many great books out there to read, don't waste time on this one.

I was provide with this book from Netgalley.com for the purpose of reading and reviewing it. The opinions are my own, unsolicited, and no compensation is offered for them.

The Pollard Theater Guthrie, Oklahoma

Blown away!!!

That is the best way to describe how I felt after seeing a production at the historic Pollard Theater last night for the first time. 

We've lived in Oklahoma now for about 6 months, and the Pollard has been on my radar as a place to visit since I was researching places to live. It just hadn't made it to the top of the list of things to do until yesterday when I attended opening night of A Territorial Christmas Carol. I should have done it much sooner! 

The Pollard Theater has a rich history in a town full of rich histories. Guthrie, Oklahoma was the first stop for many, many people with the opening of the Oklahoma Territory during the land run of 1889. The town has embraced its past and brought it into present time. Historic buildings, markers and sites fill the town and form a central core of the downtown area. The theater sits in the middle of all of it. 

The Pollard Theater building was built in 1901 of native Oklahoma stone and brick as the Patterson Furniture Store. By 1919, it was beginning its life as an entertainment center when it was purchased and turned into a vaudeville house. Transitioning through as a silent  movie theater to "talkies", it eventually was purchased and renovated in 1986 to become the theater it is today.  

  
All this sounds very quaint. Most people would think, "Small town, historic theater, small community theater, perhaps seasonal." How wrong they would be!!!!!! 

The Pollard Theater houses an incredible company of year round professionals which offer a diverse menu of six or more plays or musicals each year. Which brings me to the production my family and I saw last night.

I'm told that "A Territorial Christmas Carol" is somewhat of a tradition around here. People wait all year to make this show part of their holiday season and shows sell out. Based on Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol", the story is set  in 1889 and transports you back to the time of just after the Oklahoma Land Run, with Scrooge as a unscrupulous real estate/mortgage agent. 

The actors in the cast, including James Ong in his 16th year as Scrooge, bring you back with them to experience the familiar story. It is easy to immerse yourself , especially after walking the streets and seeing many of the same sights that the characters would have seen. There is never a feeling of small town theater during this production. The cast and crew are thoroughly professional and could easily perform this on a much larger venue. The set and lighting take you from from scene to scene, inside and out, room to room, all making full use of the available stage space. 

To be honest, I was most impressed with the acting, most notable 'Charlie' Dickens, played by Timothy Stewart, and Scrooge, played by afore mentioned James Ong. Stewart manages to add a Edwardian feel while never leaving the territorial times. Keeping his character slightly separate while completely being part of the story, he provides the link between the classic favorite and my new favorite version of A Christmas Carol. James Ong, quite simply, is Scrooge. I'm not sure how comfortable I would feel meeting Mr.Ong as a civilian. After all, Scrooge is not anyone's favorite person, at least for the first part of the show. And Ong makes curmudgeon look awfully natural. (I'm told that out of character he is extremely nice)

I now know why this show is a part of so many people's holiday traditions. It will be part of our family's, too.


I heartily recommend a visit to The Pollard Theater. 

SeeThe Pollard Theater for more information and performance details. 

Paper Mate Write for Hope Pens

I've found my new favorite ink pen!

It is back to school time, and like a lot of families, we have been stocking up on school and office supplies. With all the sales going on, now is a great time to do it. Who wants to pass up deals for notebooks and pens for pennies? Not me!!

We use pencils, crayons, pens and paper for crafts, projects and just every day living, as well as for school and work, so we go through them pretty fast. For that reason, I usually buy quite a bit at this time of year. I always end up with several different brands, because those darn stores are always putting limits on the best deals, so I have to go back again when the next deal comes out.

The up side to all those different brands is that I get to compare them. Most of the time, it doesn't make much difference--no matter what those big companies want to tell you! Paper is paper, and a pencil is a pencil. To an elementary school kid, they all do the job.

But occasionally, there is a BIG difference. A difference big enough that I'll go out of my way and (gasp) even spend a little more money to get something. Paper Mate Write for Hope Pens are one of those somethings.

As a pharmacist, I get prescriptions called in by doctors all day long. When I write out a prescription, I have to write quickly and clearly.....and I have to do it a lot. A good pen is a must.

So what makes a good pen? First and most important, clear writing with no skips. That is pretty basic, and most pens can cover that requirement. Second is smooth, easy flow of ink with no blotches. Here is where we start to weed out pens. Some make you push too hard or feel like they drag over the paper. That is a deal breaker. If my hand has to work too hard to write, it hurts by the end of the day. I don't have time for that. The pen also has to fit in your hand and be retractable. Write for Hope Pen does. It has that slightly rubbery skin so that it doesn't slip, and it feels cushiony (Is that a word?).

Now here is where Paper Mate Write for Hope sets itself apart from other good pens. Paper Mate makes a donation to City of Hope for breast cancer research, treatment and education.


 In my book, that makes them the best choice in good pens, and my new favorite pen.

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