I'm with you on the minestrone! I just made a fantastic minestrone with some smoked beef sausage for my fiance'. It would be equally great without the meat though. I have learned to ease up on the potatoes and use whole wheat pasta instead. As for Wil's soup, it does sound awesome. My change? I would use vegetable stock instead of plain water. I love using stocks and broths instead of plain water in my cooking! Where I come from, the water doesn't come seasoned, as Emeril likes to say.

Well hell, ... damn it Wil, you had to do it didn't you? I'm on my fourth tissue and can't breathe. Thanks a lot! I jest but I am profoundly saddened when I think of River and a few others who suffered similar fates. When I was a teenager (I'm your age btw) I was over the moon for River and followed his career eagerly. I guess when he died it was like a piece of my youth died with him. So thanks.. for sharing the River you knew and loved and for the good cry. I guess I needed that today.