[djprius]

snip

Is there a way to create a keyboard shortcut that works to *directly*
insert the current date -- without calling up the date/time dialog box?

The best I can do is to have a shortcut key that brings up the dialog
box and then I need to click "OK" to insert the default date format.

I've answered my own question: I realized that after the shortcut
key, I just have to press [Enter] to have the date entered. (That is, I
do *not* have to use the mouse to click "OK".)

I can thus enter the date without removing my hands from the
keyboard, which was my goal.

David