def parents
      all_parents = Array.new
      # Extract all parents and add to array recursively:
      if parent
        all_parents = parent.parents if parent.parent
        all_parents.insert(0, parent)
      end
      return all_parents
    end
def parents
      all_parents = Array.new
      # Extract all parents and add to array recursively:
      if parent
        all_parents = parent.parents if parent.parent
        all_parents.insert(0, parent)
      end
      return all_parents
    end
Retrieves the entire chain of parents connected to this elemental
 (or an empty array, if the element is parent-less).

 @return [Array] array of parents (immediate parent first, top parent last)