Many thanks to everyone who took the time to respond. If/when I get my
ticket, I'll be proud to join the group of able practitioners of the flying
art represented on these newsgroups. A few remarks:

To Harry Gordon: I appreciated the humor--I was pretty upset with myself at
the time.

To Cub Driver (Dan Ford): I liked the story about the approach on the 45 to
the vacant lot. Your sailing trip sounded a lot like my flying misadventure
(in fact, ABC=BDR, XYZ=HVN). My mind certainly tried to make the airport fit
my mental picture, the contrary evidence of my senses notwithstanding.

To Robert M. Gary: I've certainly tried to learn from it. It's all I've
thought about for 24hrs. Your point about ETE is well taken.

To Eric Miller: flight following was suggested, not required. I agree it
might have helped. The blinders were on all the way to the pattern at the
wrong airport. When they came off, it was quite a shock, since I'm actually
quite familiar with the city near XYZ. Suddenly I recognized every
lankmark, and couldn't believe what I'd done.

To Steve Robertson: I have a call in to my instructor about filing the NASA
form. It's already filled out. I understand the different senses of forget
and remember when you said, "...forget about it. But remember it."
Remember will be easy; forget will be harder, upset as I still am.

To Anyone: I was using VORs. Trouble was, I was so sure of where I
(thought I) was, I managed to ignore what they were telling me.

To John T: I like your videos. No visual/radar contact reported by my
intended tower should have been a red flag, for sure. Agreed, knowledge of
the runways was what ultimately broke the spell of being so sure I was in
the right place.