thought I would provide an update. First of all I replaced the ignition wires/ signal/ switch and flasher - still no love. Decided to walk away for a day or two and fixed headlights/ horn and driving light.
In a unrelated (mostly) act I also replaced the battery ground cable - it was getting old and, I discovered the bolt to the car was a bit lose. certainly explained that it was harder to start than it should have been. (note to self - check cable bolts from time to time)
Had the car out of the garage and my tenant showed up (he and his wife are like another set of kids and he is the son of very long time friends) He is also pretty handy with computers and electronics. So I asked for a second set of eyes. In an embarrassingly short number of minutes he began to wonder if the prongs on the hazard switch were making good contact - he spread them slightly and all of a sudden signals. Of course I reassembled it all took it for a drive and no signals. Walked away. Today I did a couple of small jobs and then started it and, signals. Took it for another drive and no signals, until I smacked the console smartly and signals, for a minute.
So, tomorrow, take it apart, clean everything, dielectric grease and hopefully good to go.
Oh and enough of a drive that I could (finally) put fresh gas in so it immediately works so very very much better.
Onward....