UPDATE:  Although I'm still getting the message that my subscription can't be verified, I am now able to get updates to download and install successfully (yes!).  With the Security Center open, if I click on "Navigation", then "Subscription", it says that my subscription is "Active".  And the green bar says that my computer is secure, no action required.  So, what the other verification problem is, I still don't know.

But if someone behind the scenes got my updates working, I'd like to send them a big "thank you".  I'm not going to delete this thread, just in case anyone else comes up with a problem like it, or in case it recurs.

If anyone from tech support has any questions or information, I'd appreciate a message.

Thank you.