so I finally had some time to work on it...
and discovered the tire was flat.
so as I pull it off, the drum clanks...
the clip on the bottom that holds the spring and the cable was cracked and let go of both...

got a new one (for each side) and rebuilt the brakes ...
good as new!

pry would have figured it out sooner if the ebrake worked (have to lengthen it a few inches before I tighten it down for use...