wow; lotsa input and I appreciate everyone's opinion & advice.
just got back from a ride (usual 22 - 24 miles on bike path & local streets). I tried to mimic the downtube shift motion and found myself kneeing my arm. I have had downtube shifters in the '70s & '80s, but never rode "seriously" and don't remember much of those years anyway . . . .
I think the least dork-some solution for me is going to be lengthening the shift cables between the bar end levers and frame bosses. I don't mind the grasshopper antennae look. aero cables vex me to no end and I tend to lean toward the retro-grouch school of cycling whenever possible.
and not to flog a dead mule . . . but obviously I will . . . if I could "cross cables" wouldn't that do two 'negative' things?
to wit:
#1 . if my downtube frame bosses are located at 9:00 & 3:00 o'clock, how would I get them under the tube without scraping the paint off?
yes; I really am this dense.
#B . wouldn't this allocate the "right" lever to my front derailleur? and "left", rear?
since this would be contradictory to how things are now, it might likely put me 'round the bend trying to remember which switch to shift!
thanks all, again.