Honestly: Joseph Thomas Rossettie

By Joseph Thomas Rossettie

Honestly is a humorous glimpse at the memories of growing up in a family of two parents and ten children. The names have been changed, so as to not impugn the character of any of my siblings. What could be taken from this effort is that the very young are not necessarily as responsible for their antics as older folk, but as one matures, they are held more accountable. This is as it should be. We must remember that character is built over time, and so our toleration flows more easily for the immature. We see humor in the reflection of our own childhood and delight in the innocence of all children.
Each story stands on its own. And with only a few exceptions are they placed in any order, chronologically, or otherwise. In general, the time frames are noted with each chapter heading, but there is no pecking order. I hope you enjoy the book!

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 25, 2011
• ISBN: 9781463404574

Joseph Thomas Rossettie

Joseph Thomas Rossettie was born in 1948. He is a pharmacist (retired) and resides in Painted Post, New York. He is married to Theresa (Lisi) Rossettie. They have three children: Joseph Michael Rossettie, Esq. in San Diego, Gina (Rossettie) Frey, Esq. in Indianapolis, and Christina Rossettie in Cortland, New York. Joseph Thomas Rossettie is the co-founder of Rossettie Pharmacy, where he practiced pharmacy for 35 years. He attended Fordham University. Joseph Thomas Rossettie is the author of The Lycurgus Cup, and Genesis Six. He has authored and published one of three in a series of children’s books, The Adventures of Marmalade and Jellybean. These are for ages 3-7.

Book preview

Contents

Dedications

Acknowledgments

About the Author

FOREWORD

CHAPTER ONE

Chapter TWO

CHAPTER THREE

CHAPTER FOUR

CHAPTER FIVE

CHAPTER SIX

CHAPTER SEVEN

CHAPTER EIGHT

CHAPTER NINE

CHAPTER TEN

CHAPTER ELEVEN

CHAPTER TWELVE

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

CHAPTER NINETEEN

CHAPTER TWENTY

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Chapter TWENTY-FOUR

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Reviewer’s Report:

A trip full of adventures and misadventures, this story is sure to tickle the funny bone of the baby boomers or anyone interested in this generation.

Born from the memories of a person with nine siblings and composed of snippets of his life, the reviewers have branded it wildly entertaining.

It’s an easy read you’ll find most enjoyable.

Dedications

This book is dedicated to the memory of Robert William Rossettie, and to my dear wife, Theresa, without whom this work would not be possible.

And to all my siblings goes a special blessing for their help and understanding.

Acknowledgments

I am grateful to Joe and Lisa Schimizzi, Joe and Corky Sorge, Mary Kay Lisi, John Rossettie, Jim and Patti Rossettie. A special thanks to Patti Graham for her work as promotions director.

A salute to Dr. Betty Wahlig for bringing her considerable talent to bear in this effort.

I have been fortunate to have the help of my niece, Chrissy Rossettie for her wonderful design of the front cover. She also designed the cover of one of my earlier works, Genesis Six.

Joseph Thomas Rossettie, author

About the Author

Joseph Thomas Rossettie was born in 1948. He is a pharmacist (retired) and resides in Painted Post, New York. He is married to Theresa (Lisi) Rossettie. They have three children: Joseph Michael Rossettie, Esq. in San Diego, Gina (Rossettie) Frey, Esq. in Indianapolis, and Christina Rossettie in Cortland, New York. Joseph Thomas Rossettie is the co-founder of Rossettie Pharmacy, where he practiced pharmacy for 35 years. He attended Fordham University. Joseph Thomas Rossettie is the author of The Lycurgus Cup, and Genesis Six. He has authored and published one of three in a series of children’s books, The Adventures of Marmalade and Jellybean.

Joseph Thomas Rossettie is the author of

The Lycurgus Cup

A novel set in the eastern Mediterranean around the year 400, this story is compelling. A theological thriller, it is a fiction based on the history of the region. It has a gripping plot that leaves the reader fully satisfied. It comes highly recommended for those that have an interest in history or theology.

Genesis Six

By Joseph Thomas Rossettie

Genesis Six has a modern day setting. It is a religious thriller based on the very latest in theoretical physics and Holy Scripture, where good and evil collide.

Joseph Thomas Rossettie is the author of the children’s series

The Adventures of Marmalade and Jellybean

Written for ages 3-7, this children’s book is a delightful foray into the world of young children. Rich in digestible slapstick comedy, the young ones absorb some serious life lessons. The children are taught to avoid contact with strangers. They are warned to take medicines only from medical pros or parents, all while laughing at the antics of Jellybean. It is a must read for relatives of young children to teach them protective measures in these formative years.

Insanity is hereditary… we get it from our children. Joan Rivers.

FOREWORD

missing image file

Four siblings in a row (author front)

I thought I had led a relatively vanilla childhood until I set out to deliberately revive old memories that had been dulled by time. Over the years, the once clear episodes of my early years turned yellow with age. Nevertheless, some memories are so vivid I had little trouble resurrecting them intact.

Not all the stories are from my childhood. Some originate from my adult years.

I grew up with nine siblings. Frank, the oldest, was followed by Dan and Eddy, I took the slot as fourth oldest, followed almost immediately by Billy. And while those closest to my age Billy and Eddy stand out most vividly, the younger half of the family most definitely made their mark. Stories of growing up in Elmira and Corning bring to light a childhood full of adventures. This book is a compilation of those stories. The names have been changed to protect the real players. But I assure you the events are real, with few liberties taken and exaggeration held to a minimum. Whatever the embellishments, they are incidental with no malice intended.

The order of the tales has no rank. Some may be funnier than others. Some may have been recorded when they were recalled, so as to not omit them. Others may find their way toward the front because a lead—in has been established, and so the dovetail is a natural. In all cases I have done my best to cast no shadows on the reputations of my siblings. I think… I hope."

I hope you enjoy the book.

CHAPTER ONE

Nog Night… Circa 1989

It was customary for the Rossetties to invite the neighbors over to the house at some point during the year, usually between the holidays, to partake of seven and one-half gallons of homemade eggnog. A precise formula was followed. My friend Dan, who was a research chemist, always donned a lab coat, as did I, since I had one handy in my line of work as a pharmacist. The outfits were topped off by goggles. The two of us would manipulate the ingredients in large bowls before they were admixed. The process was accompanied by the caldron chant from Macbeth:

Double, double toil and trouble, fire burn and cauldron bubble.

The chant was led by three witches selected from our group of merry-makers.

With over 100 people in the house, the seven and one-half gallon batch was gone within the first hour.

The following page illustrates a typical invitation.

As you can see, it is fairly generic, usually distributed by yours