Larry---
I, too, hope you are still having fun with this. Sounds like you are closing in on an acceptable fix. I really like Sam's Option #17, though it would be a bigger project than the bracket you are considering. My general attitude is: "whatever works," so if the bracket does the job, so be it. I would suggest that the bracket you are considering be made as thick as practical---I think the thickness here matters a lot (it aproaches the x-brace, and Sam's curved apron). My .02