Spark! I got spark!
I pulled the points and condenser off the distributor.
Looks at them from every angle (clueless).
Put them back in.
Managed to lose one of the screws for the points.
Placed the distributor ground wire under the proper screw location (according to the shop manual).
And wha-la, Spark!

Not sure why it worked this time and not before, unless the ground wire connection point makes that much difference.

Now I need to find the other screw back. And run the primary wire back under the distributor plate (somewhere along the way, I pulled it out and it is above the plate).

Thanks for your help to this point ya'll.

I still haven't answered my question on which way to go, but if I can determine my engine condition, that will go a long way in the decision.

Thanks again.