to-do bar will not show tasks

Hi, I have tasks, but they do not show up in the to-do bar. It says "There
are no itmes to show in this view.". I can see the calander, and my
appointments. Tasks is selected in View/todo bar.
Even when I create a task in the to-do bar, it shows up in my tasks window
but not in the to-do bar.
i know it is probably something real simple, but I can't see the trees in
the forest at this point.
These are simple tasks and some do not have start dates..
Thank in advance
joe C