Patio: The "Don't load tabs until selected" box was already checked.
Salmon Trout: Using the 'Classic Theme Restorer' add-on and entering google.com as the"Custom new tab page url" solved my problem.
Many thanks!
Geek-9pm: I'm only 55 but I've got 78 million hard miles on me and mouse clicks are getting to be a chore for me now days. lol
As usual, thanks to all 3 of you. You guys 'rock'!