Well, satan didn't ruin Christmas for me, just made a fool out of me and I can live with that - seems to happen a lot lately. There it sat in daylight in Drive! However, the fuel line from the tank was gelled up as the primer pump would not move fuel into the prefilter (changed both filters). I got her home by putting a soda bottle full of diesel under the hood with a fuel line into it. At home I blew compressed air back to the tank, hooked er back up and the pump worked like it was supposed to. All is well (I also treated the fuel in the tank w/ power service).

Thanks to all who helped when it was just a stupid oversight on my part. I'll try to think the next one through better before asking. cheers.