pink victorian house



NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS COVER





Roberta DeCaprio



My release date was August 1, 1950. That was the beginning of chapter one. My life story unfolded on that warm, summer afternoon as I struggled through my mother’s womb to enter this world, not in a hospital but in the back bedroom of my grandparent’s Seldon Street home.



As the plot thickens, my arrival was a hard, breech birth. I was delivered by the coroner who lived up the street and my great-grandmother who was a midwife. I was her 4999th child to help bring into the world and the only one born handicapped. The poor woman bore the guilt till the day she died, crying every time she saw me and begging my forgiveness.


when I was baptized
Me on my Baptismal Day September of 1950 with from l to r my godmother Antoinette Formichelli, my great-grandmother Carmela Formichelli holding me, and godfather Carmine DeNofio.



The dark moments loomed heavily, which were the first five years of my life. They were not spent playing on tricycles and building blocks, but being taken to clinics all around New York, Connecticut and Massachusetts in order to discover why I couldn’t walk.

a very young me
When I was 3 years old, this photo was submitted to a baby contest in 1953, and won; but because the contest officials learned I had a walking impairment, I was disqualified.


my grannys
I am 4 years old at my cousin Judi's birthday. Standing in the background is my maternal great-grandmother, Carmela Colandra Formichelli...a mid-wife who delivered in her time 5000 babies...My cousin Judi (the birthday girl in the picture) and I were two of the last she delivered.. Beside her is my maternal grandmother, Helen Formichelli DeNofio.


The villain now appears . . . the young, brilliant doctor who tried to convince my parents to institutionalize me, because I’d be nothing but a vegetable and wouldn’t contribute anything to society. I am blessed my parents (the rescuing heroes) saw the bigger picture. I pray still for those children who had parents that didn’t. I wonder often how many lives that doctor condemned unnecessarily.


My First Holy Communion, May 1958
My First Holy Communion, May 1958



Sister Helena and I with Pixie
Here I am in 1957 with my dog Pixie and sister Helena. We're sitting on the floor of the "good room" at our McClellan Street home. In the background is my mother's Haywood Wakefield Lane cedar chest. In there she kept our baptisimal gowns, her wedding album, and many other precious things. I always thought it looked like a coffin.


I was poked, prodded, surveyed, operated on, made to wear braces on my legs, and saw childhood fly by without me. I believe now the only thing that kept me going was my faith and my writing . . . as both continues to do to this very day.



my dear granny
Me on my Confirmation Day, June 1961 with my grandmother Helen DeNofio, who stood up as my sponsor/godmother.



For the most part I have to say, besides the constant and endless trials; I have had a pretty good life. My large Italian family loves me dearly and supports my endeavors, and I have won the love and respect of many good friends.


My Graduation from Mohonasen High School, June 1969.
My Graduation from Mohonasen High School, June 1969.


From struggling to achieve an education (disabled children were not mainstreamed in the public school system when I went to school, as they are today), to having a job; driving, marrying and having children, the challenges have been enormous.


Sesqui-Centennial Queen of Rotterdam
In July of 1970 I won Sesqui-Centennial Queen of Rotterdam, New York . . . my hometown. I won the title over 33 other young girls and it was the most wonderful time of my life. Here is a picture of me sitting on my throne moments after I was crowned by Fred Racke (man standing to the right of me). At the time he was the assistant director of the Netherlands InformationServices and delegate to the United Nations. He characterized me as a "symbol of beauty and hope for the future." Racke went on to say, "Beauty, especially the beauty of a human being is the greatest and most wonderful thing on earth because it represents love. Love is most important at this moment. Love can give us peace and peace can save mankind. My reign is until the Bi-Centennial, which means I don't give up my crown until I'm 70 years old, so in all actuality I am still Rotterdam's Queen. The town's motto is "Stronger Through Effort." As I walked to the throne on that day using my two canes I made that motto come true.



I have battled society’s version of what a handicapped person should and shouldn’t be allowed to accomplish. The effort, I can honestly say, was all uphill and rising. But for all intents and purposes I believe it’s made me the strong and perceptive person I am today. Would I change anything . . . well, being different isn’t easy and certainly nothing one chooses . . . but I fought a good fight and stuck to the race, and I would do it all again if I had too.


parents.
My mother Carmela, and father Anthony DeCaprio..


Now with children grown, grandchildren to love, and the wisdom of my grandmother, I embark still on another aspect of life . . . the golden years; the time when things are suppose to run smoother and finances are better. Who thought that one up?!



with my sisters.
From L to R: My youngest sister Cynthia, me, and middle sister Helena.

Life is hard, it will always be hard, but it’s also rewarding, wonderful and precious. So as I move into the second half of my life, my spirit swells with anticipation and my fingers move across my lap top with characters as alive as anyone I see walking about. With the grace of God I have weathered the storms past, and will sustain the ones to come . . . and continue to live each day better and fuller than the last.


My Mother with her sister, my Aunt Peg.
Christmas of 2005, my Aunt Peg Wos and my mother, Carmela DeCaprio, two women who have greatly influenced my life. This "Sister Team" just loves taking bus trips to the casinos.


And so . . . here is a glimpse of the pages of my life, what makes me who I am, who and what has inspired me to create the stories I write.



with hubby Jim.
Me and my artist husband James Lemke.



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      Roberta Carmela Margaret DeCaprio

      Birth date:
      August 1, 1950
      Height:
      5 ft. 1 ½ inches
      Weight:
      Don’t ask!
      Eyes:
      Hazel Green
      Hair:
      Medium Brown
      son Billy with his grandparents


      Christmas of 1974. My grandparents, Dominick and Helen DeNofio, holding my son Billy (only a year old at the time) in the livingroom of their Lawnwood Avenue home. These two people also influenced my life immensely. Both were kind and wise, knowing more about life than anyone could learn from a book.



      Religion:
      Roman Catholic/Christian
      Nationality:
      Italian American
      Married:
      3 times
      Divorced:
      Twice (shit happens)

      Children:
      Two (a son & a daughter)

      Siblings:
      Two younger sisters
      Grandchildren:
      Two granddaughters

      Zodiac Sign:
      Leo the Lion
      Favorite Color:
      Pink
      Pet owner:
      1 cat, 1 dog





    Mikko
    On September 15th, 2011 My mother found a little black kitten in her yard, crying for food. The little feline was all bones, so weak she couldn't hold up her head or stand. And yet, she somehow made it to my mother's property, where dishes of cat food are laid out for the neighborhood strays. Of course, the bigger cats overpowered her, and the adult cat food in the dishes was too large for her little mouth, but never-the-less the kitten's will to survive was strong even if her body wasn't.



    Mikko









    I took in the brave soul and immediately my husband took her to the vet for medical treatment. Thankfully she had no parasites or feline leukemia, but she did need antibiotics for congestion and a flea treatment. The vet said she was about 5 weeks old at that time, which means she was born about August 11th, 2011. After feeding her kitten formula, kitten moist food, and kitten chow throughout her recovery days, she is now a healthy, happy baby. I named her MIKKO, and she's loving and playful. Every time I hold her, I am that much more positive she's right where God wanted her to be.



    Mikko

























    Kittygirl
    Kitty Girl is a black lab/border collie mix I adopted years ago. She was born February 14, 2000 and I call her Nurse Dog, because whenever I sneeze she comes running to lick my face. She's also a stool pigeon, squealing on the other animals in the house and the grandchildren when they've gotten into something.











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    Favorite Trips
    To Disney World in Orlando, Florida in 1976,
    To Nassau in the Caribbean in 1985,
    To Los Angeles, California in 1989,
    To Las Vegas, Nevada in 1990,
    To Winnebago, Nebraska and the Omaha Indian Reservation in 1991,
    To Wildwood, New Jersey in 1996, and
    To Sidney, Australia in 2001.





Sherman's Park
This structure houses the carousel at Sherman's Amusement Park in Caroga Lake, New York. The carousel was my most favorite ride as a child, and I always chose to sit on the horse that was painted pink and white and that rose up and down. The same horse is still there to this day. Now, I watch my grandchildren enjoy sitting upon its back and waving to me as they come around . . . just as I did to my grandmother. Last time I was there, I could feel her spirit standing beside me



Favorite Outings
Seeing a movie or play
going out to dinner
shopping at the mall
going to the beach
going to the lake
folk concerts.








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First Car
1965 Plymouth, Barracuda, black with red interior; automatic with an 8 track tape deck player.
Favorite Car
1977, Cadillac, Coup Deville, black with black leather interior, automatic with cassette player, power windows and doors.
Last car
1997 Mark 3, Chevy van;; white with gold interior, automatic doors, locks, windows, powered wheelchair lift, complete hand controls, and cassette player.
Current car
Currently I drive a white, Chevy Mark 3 van. Its my Grace Mobile....with automatic seats, a wheelchair lift and complete hand controls so I can drive and be independent. My Grace Mobile sets me free.

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    • Favorite Animals
      • Dogs
      • cats
      • horses
      • lions.


    • Favorite Flowers
      • Lilacs
      • gardenias
      • pussy willows
      • pink roses.


    • Favorite Gems
      • Diamonds
      • pearls
      • sugilite
      • moonstone
      • amber
      • turquoise.


    • Favorite Scents
      • Clinque’s Aromatic Elixir
      • Chanel #5, Coty’s Wild Musk
      • Fresh’s Tobacco Carmel and Violet Moss
      • lilac
      • sandalwood
      • gardenia oil.


    • Favorite Musical Instruments
      • Piano
      • harmonica
      • guitar
      • mandolin
      • harp
      • violin.


    • Favorite Hobbies
      • Playing the harmonica (self-taught)
      • Reading
      • doing Native American beadwork
      • watching television
      • singing.


    • Favorite Things To Collect
      • Stuffed lions and teddy bears
      • porcelain dolls
      • angel and lion figurines
      • cameos
      • lockets
      • watches.


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    • Favorite Foods
      • Pasta with tomato sauce and meatballs
      • tuna fish sandwich
      • cream cheese and olive sandwich
      • steak
      • fried chicken
      • turkey
      • stuffing
      • mashed potatoes w/gravy
      • roast beef
      • tossed salad
      • chocolate chip cookies
      • chocolate bars
      • Oreos w/double stuff
      • lasagna
      • pizza
      • beef stew
      • tacos
      • salmon steak
      • marshmallow fluff
      • Spanish olives
      • peanut butter
      • vanilla ice cream
      • pineapples.


    • Favorite Drinks
      • Milk
      • chocolate milk
      • iced tea
      • green tea
      • Belgian white chocolate cocoa
      • red wine
      • Orange juice
      • soy milk
      • Killian’s Red Beer
      • good old ice water.


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    Things I Like:
    Summer
    spring
    fall
    Christmas
    Easter
    Thanksgiving
    puppies
    kittens
    foals
    pink lipstick
    black mascara
    barbecues
    candles
    burning incense.

    Things I Dislike:
    Winter
    getting up early
    liver
    cranberry juice
    spiders
    rap music.

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    People I Admire:
    Christopher and Dana Reeves
    Rosa Parks
    Mother Teresa
    Jacqueline Kennedy
    Nathan Hale
    Princess Diana
    Oprah Winfrey
    Abraham Lincoln
    my maternal Grandmother, Helen Formichelli DeNofio.

    Who I Worship:
    Jesus of Nazareth

    People I Hold With Reverence:
    Blessed Virgin Mary
    St. Jude
    Katari Tekawitha
    St. Teresa
    St. Bernadette
    St. Lucy.


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I was first someone’s daughter, granddaughter, goddaughter, niece and cousin. Next I was someone’s sister, student, best friend, godmother, bridesmaid, employee, co-worker and girlfriend. Then I was someone’s fiancée, wife, maid of honor, mother, employer and grandmother. Now I am a writer and author. Someday I hope to add to the list, New York Times Best Seller.

And to think, if that young doctor many years ago had his way, none of what I am would have been. He thought he knew what he saw. I guess the old motto rings true:

Never judge a book by its cover . . . especially the human kind.


Roberta DeCaprio