That sent the system into overtime! Must have done something!

dpkg: warning: overriding problem because --force enabled:
Package is in a very bad inconsistent state - you should
reinstall it before attempting a removal.
(Reading database ... 116996 files and directories currently installed.)
Removing adobe-flashplugin ...
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/midbrowser/plugins' not empty so not removed.
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/midbrowser' not empty so not removed.
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/firefox/plugins' not empty so not removed.
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/firefox' not empty so not removed.
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/iceweasel/plugins' not empty so not removed.
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/iceweasel' not empty so not removed.
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/iceape/plugins' not empty so not removed.
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/iceape' not empty so not removed.
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/xulrunner/plugins' not empty so not removed.
dpkg: warning: while removing adobe-flashplugin, directory '/usr/lib/xulrunner' not empty so not removed.
pottzie@pottzie-desktop:~$ sudo install adobe-flashplugin

Should be

" sudo apt-get install adobe-flashplugin "
returned:
" Reading package lists... Done
Building dependency tree
Reading state information... Done
Package adobe-flashplugin is not available, but is referred to by another package.
This may mean that the package is missing, has been obsoleted, or
is only available from another source
E: Package adobe-flashplugin has no installation candidate "

try

While this has been going on, a screen popped up saying "updates available." When I downloaded and rebooted, I tried Youtube. It said that I needed to download the newest adobe player, so I did. Instead of a screen saying "no can do ", it downloaded and appeared to finish installing.
So I thought "mission accomplished." But when I then tried Youtube, all that happened was the "need to download adobe" sticker.
I'm about to reboot and see what happens, if anything changes.

It worked!!!!!!!
Thanks for all your help. Not only can I now let my daughter get on and Facebook to her heart's content, thanks to your efforts I'll be able to listen to endless videos of dogs barking Christmas carols.
And just in time for the holidays. Thanks again!

Whoa Nellie! It's back!
After not using the computer for a few hours, I came back and started "poking around" to see what Ubuntu has. I saw in my files I had several downloads of Adobe, having tried to get videos to play. I ran across "computer janitor" and decided to try it and see what it said. It came up with Adobe, and I authorized it to be removed. After starting, the program popped up a flag saying an error had occurred and it was unable to remove. Then when I went to Youtube, there was a thin black line where the video should be, and a tag saying "download the latest version of Adobe."
Maybe I should try Opera instead of Firefox.(?)

"The lord giveth, and the lord taketh away..."
God isn't the only "Indian giver."
When Adobe worked before, it was right after running an update. When it crashed, I tried the code given to install it and, wallah, it went to town, loaded up nice and quick, and after rebooting, it now works.
Hope it stays that way.