There is absolutely no instruction here - but after some random clicking I discovered that the smilie-face icon will allow you to add a person to your friends listing.
I did find a few other complaints about the friends interface here but few solutions.
Mental note; never complain about anything without offering a possible solution as well.
Yes, this is my first entry. I am totally new to the journal system here - but the kind monks have suggested this as a "must see" area so I am looking around.
Gladly, I find some friends lurk here; such as Mr. Muskrat. For the life of me I cannot figure out how to add friends to my listing however.