We're keeping the tradition alive down here in TX. Hugs and kisses, we miss you guys.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
Fishing with Granny
By George Pitcher
I got to know Granny the best by spending parts of nine summers fishing with Granny and Grandad on the Julie Ann. I wasn’t always happy to be spending my teenage summers that way, but Granny sure made things a lot more tolerable out on the boat.
Granny never took a summer off. She was there every year I came. She had many roles on the boat, including: Cook, Legal Compliance Officer, and Protector of the Crew. I want to talk about a few of them.
Granny was the cook—and a good one. Things started with breakfast—she often gave you a choice that included biscuits, pancakes, sausage, French toast, and homemade hash browns. I had the chance to bring my family up and spend some time on the boat with Granny and Grandad a few years ago. Now every time I make French toast at home, my daughter Kate complains that it’s not as good as Granny’s.
There was no such thing as a cold lunch on the boat—it was always a big, hot meal, similar to dinner. Dinners included a lot of fish—baked king salmon, salmon patties, baked and fried halibut and ling cod, and smoked salmon dip. Other favorites on the boat included shake and bake chicken, turkey hindquarters, venison steaks, and lots of mashed potatoes. The only low point in Granny’s cooking came on the occasional rough day when she didn’t want to boil and make real mashed potatoes. Then she got out a boxed product called Potato Buds. The crew referred to them as “potato duds” because they just weren’t up to Granny’s normal cooking standards.
We didn’t use this title at the time, but Granny acted as the boat’s legal compliance officer. Granny wasn’t one to just follow the spirit of the law—she also followed the letter of the law. Granny was very concerned with making sure that all fish on the boat were legal in regard to both size limit and species. There were occasional times on the boat when a crew member might make a mistake a land a king salmon that wasn’t quite long enough. Most people on the boat thought mistakes should be eaten. But you could tell that Granny wasn’t comfortable with such mistakes lying around on the deck.
More than a few sea lions got to live out their normal life spans in the ocean due to Granny’s restraint of Grandad
Granny was also concerned about safety—you knew that Granny’s first priority was getting the crew home safely. From the EPIRB to the life raft to survival suits, Granny made sure the boat’s safety equipment was in order.
Granny took quality control very seriously. If you ever ate a salmon caught by the Julie Ann, you knew that it had been cleaned quickly and put in the slush tank shortly after it was caught. You can also be assured that it came out of the cleanest, best scrubbed slush tank in the trolling fleet. Of all the unpleasant jobs on the boat, getting inside of and scrubbing out the slush tank was at the bottom. And Granny was usually in there with you.
Granny’s role as protector of the crew was particularly important. Anyone who knows Grandad very well or ever fished with him knows that he’s a single-mindedly dedicated fisherman. His fishing philosophy was to spend as many hours as humanly possible dragging his trolling gear through the water trying to catch fish. He didn’t like to run around the ocean looking for fish—he knew they were right there outside of Pedro, and if you dragged your hooks through the water for 18 hours a day, all day every day, you would catch your share and make a living.
With that background, Granny was the only person on the boat who could:
1) tell Grandad it was time to stop fishing and go to harbor;
2) tell Grandad that the crew needed to sleep longer in the morning—which still seems to bother Grandad to this day; or
3) tell Grandad that it was too rough to fish and we needed to go to harbor or head for inside waters.
Granny was always the one to announce on a busy day that it was time to come in and eat breakfast, or it was time to come take a break. Then she would go out on deck herself and start pulling lines or cleaning fish while the crew had their breaks.
Finally, Granny was the faithful keeper and upholder, along with Grandad, of her beliefs and values. She expressed this more through actions than through words. The values I saw Granny demonstrate were:
1) Hard work—Granny was always up early to help Grandad put the gear out.
2) Service to others—Granny demonstrated this every day through things such as laundry, dishes, and scrubbing. She spent a lot of time in the laundry mat in Craig.
3) Fair play—Granny was intent on following the rules and not cutting in line in the trolling drags.
4) Mix of generosity and thrift—Granny didn’t like to waste things. You sensed that she had lived through leaner, harder times, and that she had an appreciation for the physical comforts and blessings in her life. But she wasn’t stingy—particularly when it came to things like paying the crew. She took a genuine enjoyment in paying her crew a wage that was more than fair.
5) Faithful—There was not a dinner eaten that didn’t start with a prayer, and every Sunday evening we would quit fishing early to have our little church service on the boat.
6) Taking good care of Grandad—Granny was always offering Grandad a cup of tea and making him take his afternoon nap.
There was a lot to be learned from spending summers with Granny. A woman who led by example through service to others.
I got to know Granny the best by spending parts of nine summers fishing with Granny and Grandad on the Julie Ann. I wasn’t always happy to be spending my teenage summers that way, but Granny sure made things a lot more tolerable out on the boat.
Granny never took a summer off. She was there every year I came. She had many roles on the boat, including: Cook, Legal Compliance Officer, and Protector of the Crew. I want to talk about a few of them.
Granny was the cook—and a good one. Things started with breakfast—she often gave you a choice that included biscuits, pancakes, sausage, French toast, and homemade hash browns. I had the chance to bring my family up and spend some time on the boat with Granny and Grandad a few years ago. Now every time I make French toast at home, my daughter Kate complains that it’s not as good as Granny’s.
There was no such thing as a cold lunch on the boat—it was always a big, hot meal, similar to dinner. Dinners included a lot of fish—baked king salmon, salmon patties, baked and fried halibut and ling cod, and smoked salmon dip. Other favorites on the boat included shake and bake chicken, turkey hindquarters, venison steaks, and lots of mashed potatoes. The only low point in Granny’s cooking came on the occasional rough day when she didn’t want to boil and make real mashed potatoes. Then she got out a boxed product called Potato Buds. The crew referred to them as “potato duds” because they just weren’t up to Granny’s normal cooking standards.
We didn’t use this title at the time, but Granny acted as the boat’s legal compliance officer. Granny wasn’t one to just follow the spirit of the law—she also followed the letter of the law. Granny was very concerned with making sure that all fish on the boat were legal in regard to both size limit and species. There were occasional times on the boat when a crew member might make a mistake a land a king salmon that wasn’t quite long enough. Most people on the boat thought mistakes should be eaten. But you could tell that Granny wasn’t comfortable with such mistakes lying around on the deck.
More than a few sea lions got to live out their normal life spans in the ocean due to Granny’s restraint of Grandad
Granny was also concerned about safety—you knew that Granny’s first priority was getting the crew home safely. From the EPIRB to the life raft to survival suits, Granny made sure the boat’s safety equipment was in order.
Granny took quality control very seriously. If you ever ate a salmon caught by the Julie Ann, you knew that it had been cleaned quickly and put in the slush tank shortly after it was caught. You can also be assured that it came out of the cleanest, best scrubbed slush tank in the trolling fleet. Of all the unpleasant jobs on the boat, getting inside of and scrubbing out the slush tank was at the bottom. And Granny was usually in there with you.
Granny’s role as protector of the crew was particularly important. Anyone who knows Grandad very well or ever fished with him knows that he’s a single-mindedly dedicated fisherman. His fishing philosophy was to spend as many hours as humanly possible dragging his trolling gear through the water trying to catch fish. He didn’t like to run around the ocean looking for fish—he knew they were right there outside of Pedro, and if you dragged your hooks through the water for 18 hours a day, all day every day, you would catch your share and make a living.
With that background, Granny was the only person on the boat who could:
1) tell Grandad it was time to stop fishing and go to harbor;
2) tell Grandad that the crew needed to sleep longer in the morning—which still seems to bother Grandad to this day; or
3) tell Grandad that it was too rough to fish and we needed to go to harbor or head for inside waters.
Granny was always the one to announce on a busy day that it was time to come in and eat breakfast, or it was time to come take a break. Then she would go out on deck herself and start pulling lines or cleaning fish while the crew had their breaks.
Finally, Granny was the faithful keeper and upholder, along with Grandad, of her beliefs and values. She expressed this more through actions than through words. The values I saw Granny demonstrate were:
1) Hard work—Granny was always up early to help Grandad put the gear out.
2) Service to others—Granny demonstrated this every day through things such as laundry, dishes, and scrubbing. She spent a lot of time in the laundry mat in Craig.
3) Fair play—Granny was intent on following the rules and not cutting in line in the trolling drags.
4) Mix of generosity and thrift—Granny didn’t like to waste things. You sensed that she had lived through leaner, harder times, and that she had an appreciation for the physical comforts and blessings in her life. But she wasn’t stingy—particularly when it came to things like paying the crew. She took a genuine enjoyment in paying her crew a wage that was more than fair.
5) Faithful—There was not a dinner eaten that didn’t start with a prayer, and every Sunday evening we would quit fishing early to have our little church service on the boat.
6) Taking good care of Grandad—Granny was always offering Grandad a cup of tea and making him take his afternoon nap.
There was a lot to be learned from spending summers with Granny. A woman who led by example through service to others.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Thursday, October 9, 2008
The Newest Member of the Parrott Family
Were not sure what her name is yet, but we already love her. Its like a little stork came down and dropped her off on our doorstep (well, its kind of like that).
Monday, September 22, 2008
Monday, September 1, 2008
Happy Birthday Julie!!
Yesterday was your birthday, but you were shrimping on the boat. A perfect example of who you are: doing something you might not want to do because you care about your family (or were guilted into it... but either way, you're a saint). Anyhow... you are my hero in so many ways. Here are a few:
Number one: You make wonderful bread and share it.
Number two: You are the embodiment of patience.
Number three: You share my vice of looking at all the celebrity gossip online, thus making me feel less guilty about it.
Number four: You're not scared to go for seconds on Tillamook Choco.Peanut Butter with milk, even though you know it will make you nauseous, also reducing my guilt about doing the same thing.
Number five: You are always willing to answer our health questions about weird rashes and abnormal bowel movements.
Number six: You are kind to my daughter even when she physically assaults your son. (Refer back to #2 and apologies.)
AND Number seven: You are willing to hold my son for two hours while he mauls you and violates your personal space. (Again, apologies. Next time you babysit you might want to wear a turtleneck and/or borrow Jim's scent blocker hunting shirt.)
You are great. Thanks for being the first of a line of greatness!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Daddy Kisses
Reuben has learned to give kisses, which he is demonstrating here. He prefers open-mouthed style.
Daddy does not.
Daddy does not.Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Happy Birthday, Christy Jean!
Christy Jean (Parrott) McDonald -God knew what He was doing when He put you in Jude's womb. He knew that this family needed a fashion savvy, go-getter with a heart of gold. Your lightness of heart reminds me to stay positive and hopeful, your charm and energy inspires me to be creatively ambitious, and your loving kindness is contagious.
(And did I mention you're one of my very favorite things about the grand state of Texas. I had the best time.) The only thing I would change about you is your location. I'd make you a couple of plane rides closer...
You brighten our world and I am/we are so blessed to have you.Wishing you the most wonderful day ever!!
P.S. You may have noticed that I stole this pic off of your blog, but it was just so beautiful and I thought you'd prefer it to one a little less flattering (like one in your jammies - See Trina's Happy Birthday blog)Wednesday, July 2, 2008
For Sale
For Sale: Very "Mature" Ford explorer that is LOADED with experience and personality! Also included in sale is the infamous el-boato the Bounty Hunter which has been known to travel far and kill many fish.
No reasonable offer refused.
$49,999 OBO or will sell seperatly as:
$49,000 for the Ford and
$999 for the Bounty Hunter
serious inquiries only, please call 247-8584
Friday, June 27, 2008
Monday, June 9, 2008
Life Lessons
We taught the kids an important life lesson today - that hard work really pays off in the end.
Wait for it....
Ahhhh, refreshment after that long walk, kettle corn!
Wait for it....
Wait for it....
Ahhhh, refreshment after that long walk, kettle corn!
Sunday, June 1, 2008
His Mother's Son
Just look at that smile! I thought Julie might get a kick out of this picture. Lockjaw and all... (click on the picture to enlargen it to get the full effect).
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Happy Birthday Jim!!
James Steven Parrott
Born May 4th, 1980
A sweet boy to a loving, gentle man...
I find it a privilege to give my life to you and an honor to sacrifice for the sake of our family.
I'll follow you anywhere - my heart is yours.
Just please shoot a bear.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Happy Birthday Grace!!
Grace Amaris Parrott, superstar
Born May 1st, 2004
So much energy and charisma...
God knew I needed your smile to keep me going.
I love you more than chocolate!
Saturday, April 19, 2008
Urkel
Danny just gave an entirely new meaning to "Urkel your pants" when he dressed Taylor for bed tonight.
Hugs from sunny Tejas!
Hugs from sunny Tejas!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Hair
We took Taylor in for a new hair style today. What do you think of this one? We'll just call him Slick from now on....
Friday, April 4, 2008
Happy Birthday Katy!!!
So the original plan with this was that Taylor would hold the sign and smile all cute and it would be a happy little birthday pictuer for Katy. But the boy just wouldn't cooperate. So imagine, if you will, that there is a happy little Taylor holding this picture and smiling because he loves his Aunt Kay Kay soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo much, and wants nothing more than to wish her a happy, happy, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Happy Birthday Trina!!
To the honorary member of the Parrott family,
Happy Birthday!!
We love you and wish you many more happy years with us here in Ketchikan!
(If you move away, the happy wishes are null and void.)
Trina - So sorry... this is the only pic I have of you. You probably did not want to be plastered on the Internet in your jammies, but usually only the family views this blog... and all of Christy's friends... and sometimes my friends. Again, so sorry.Wednesday, March 26, 2008
the newest Parrott in town
Family-
I just saw this add on Sitnews...perhaphs we should communicate with our long lost relative when she gets here.
jimbo
I am a law student who will be working in Ketchikan over the summer. I am looking to rent a room or small apartment near downtown or within walking distance from a bus stop. I am a clean, quiet, non-smoker and do not own any pets. Contact Karen at 314-960-2728 or karenparrott@hotmail.com
Posted: Mon, 24 Mar. 2008 - Expires: Wed, 23 Apr. 2008
I just saw this add on Sitnews...perhaphs we should communicate with our long lost relative when she gets here.
jimbo
I am a law student who will be working in Ketchikan over the summer. I am looking to rent a room or small apartment near downtown or within walking distance from a bus stop. I am a clean, quiet, non-smoker and do not own any pets. Contact Karen at 314-960-2728 or karenparrott@hotmail.com
Posted: Mon, 24 Mar. 2008 - Expires: Wed, 23 Apr. 2008
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Reuben: The New Parrott
Introducing Reuben Luther Parrott!!!
The newest member of the Parrott clan is getting tons of attention.
(Maybe too much from the look of it.)
He is showing some favoritism towards his Daddy...
But he likes his Mommy just fine too.
Grace, on the other hand, is showing some signs of regression...
but maybe just in response to Reuben's keen fashion sense. How could she possibly keep up?!
Pop that collar, BOY!
Can't go wrong in camo!
Reuben, however, does not concur.
Stay tuned for more from the Parrott family...
Pop that collar, BOY!Can't go wrong in camo!
Grace is also enjoying getting to do things she previously did not get away with...
And she is always pleased to hold her brother...
Reuben, however, does not concur.
Stay tuned for more from the Parrott family...
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Hook 'em Horns
Hook 'em Horns, right Jay? This picture is from Elizabeth especially for her Uncle Danny...
Friday, February 15, 2008
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
82 degrees
I don't want to brag or anything, but it was sunny and in the low 80's here over the weekend. And I hear you guys are having a coolish combination of rain and snow? Huh? Was that right? More cold, wet weather for you? Just wondered.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Killed the Blog.....
I just wanted to protest the recent accusations that I, Jim Parrott am the author of the New Years eve family planning post that killed the family blog. Although I do fully support the post and i laughed quite hardly, it was my wife who posted.
p.s. who else thinks that since my wife went on a 3 week Oregon vacation, its justifiable to go moose hunting and spend a couple dollars next year????
p.s. who else thinks that since my wife went on a 3 week Oregon vacation, its justifiable to go moose hunting and spend a couple dollars next year????
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