I finally decided to give Big Sur a second chance, and after finding out that my primary objection to it - Music's not responding to keyboard commands - has been corrected, I got into configuring it.

I don't know what I did or how I did it, but as a result of my "configuring" Notifications, my menu bar clock/Notifications icon is greyed out, I'm unable to configure date and time in my menu bar clock, and notifications of new emails and messages, which should appear on my screen, aren't appearing.

Also, I'd like to minimize the menu bar clock/Notifications icon to the way it appeared in Catalina. (I have a vague recollection of having been able to do it the first time I installed BS.)

Heeelp!

Thanks.

The new Great Equalizer is the SEND button.

In Memory of Harv: Those who can make you believe absurdities can make you commit atrocities. ~Voltaire