Body text not showing up in content?

I'm starting over from scratch with 3.x since my database for the 2.x version was hopelessly corrupted.

I'm trying to create a page.

I have the grid set up for content to have the three columns.

I have the full width wrapper turned off.

I even took it completely out of responsive mode.

My body text is floating completely outside any region or zone on the page instead of Content where it should. (See screenshot)

However if I click on the "edit" tab on the content block - I go to the correct content page.

I'm sure there is something very basic wrong here but I don't have a clue what to do.

Don't know if it's related, but the layout of the appearance -> settings page is really jacked up too. I have "Force equal height for all child elements " showing up about 20 times, no matter which of the tabs I'm using.

HELP!