John.. got the uv mapping issue solved.  it was 2-fold.  After I selected my planar projection, then on the y-axis and then validate.  Then up on the uv and texturing tab, I clicked the unwrap icon.  That splits your screen and gives you perspective view on one side and uv view on the other.  At that point, on the uv side, you're supposed to click the unwrap icon at the top of that 1/2 of yours split screen and then validate that.  Then that will allow you to manipulate your points and edges.  I left out that bold-faced step and that hosed the whole deal.  Second, the end-cut texture I picked for my stump just plain sucked so I'm off to hunt for a better one.  Thanks for the concern though.  I usually don't stay stumped like this for long.