However, I have not been able to learn how to set a default font. If I just start typing, the font is much too small. I then change it to one that I like, typically Garamond, 14-point. Thanks for your input. The practice as developed by newspapers, was to use Times Roman as a standard mainly because it is said to be the easiest on the eyes.
Serifs are the little curlicues on the edge of the characters.
Headlines are more sterile. There are hundreds of different typefaces, but I still use the Times New Roman font, following sheeplike behind the experts. Purists will tell you that a font is a combination of typeface and size. Obviously, you have a more artistic eye. Now pick the font, size and attributes.