Soup isn’t just a pot of boiling water with an ol’ chicken in it sweat’n away. No…….Much more. A link between my sons and me creating a culinary feat via a cell phone.

When they decide to get the kettle out and start assembling soup fixings for sure my phone will ring.  This time I’m on a walk when Randy, my oldest son calls. I can hear the sizzle of onions and celery hitting the hot olive oil I’ve taught him to use, besides hunting for the herbs that bind it all together. I suggest a chiffonade of fresh basil should be added last so it doesn’t blacken.  Thyme is OK to add but always measure in your hand, rubbing the herbs between your hands and smelling the essence they give off. It’s all part of soup making too I remind him.  Never add directly over the pot.  What if it slips?  Too much added can not be removed.  We move on with the soup as I move on with my walk. Remember take the chicken out as soon as it’s done and let it cool I remind him.  I’m asked if the chicken goes back in while the broth simmers away?  Nope…It only toughens the meat.  I lose track of the conversation as I look around at the wonders of fall with the wind whipping in my face and have to bring myself back on track to “Parsley, Rosemary and Thyme.”  Hmm….where have I heard that before?  (Showing my age.)

When a question momentarily stumps me I ask “Don’t you have any cook books around or didn’t you write down the directions the last time we did this same pot of soup?”  The answer is “Why?  when I have you on the other end of the phone with me.” Wow!  I can handle that!”

It’s all about the connection a kettle of simmering soup makes as it comes together and the sharing of “thyme” with  my grown sons.   Priceless.