Tomato Sauce aka Gravy (Ginny's)

I learned this from Mom when I was a teenager. Apologies for the vague measurements...it's an intuitive thing!

Stir together in 8-quart pot:
4 28-ounce cans of whole Italian plum tomatoes, crushed in your hand or pureed in blender
4 6-ounce cans tomato paste and 2 paste-cans of water
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
parsley flakes - I think it's about 2 Tbsp
oregano - maybe 1 Tbsp?
basil - 2 tsp?
2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 bay leaves

Bring to a boil, stirring so that the sauce doesn't stick to the bottom of the pot. Turn down, cover with the lid slightly ajar. Simmer for at least two hours, stirring occasionally. Taste and adjust spices. (If the sauce is sour, add onion. I keep onion powder and garlic powder on hand, since it's easier to not have to chop or mince in order to adjust).
For meat-sauce, add browned ground beef/pork.
Or add browned meatballs and/or Italian sausage.