Thanks, Geezer--I did, in fact, remove the carb, checked the float bowl and valve, gaskets, cleaned everything, reassembled
everything as it had been, fueled with fresh non-ethanol (which I always use, anyhow), and BOOM we were off to the races.
I didn't bother with the thermowax; a little priming ritual once in awhile is less bother than messing with the wax and I didn't
want to wait for parts-- the lawn was a jungle. Thanks for your help.