Can't connect to Apple ID Server

Nothing is working. I was able to sign in to this discussion but I can't access messages or get my computer to connect to my Apple ID. I just get spinning wheels and eventually a message saying it can't connect to my Apple ID. My internet is fine, I've turned things on and off, I've tried to sign out or iCloud & sign back in... It just seems all messed up. My Notes are all missing as are most of my photos, though I assume they are on iCloud and just got deleted from this computer when I signed out. The only reason I signed out was because I couldn't get into iCoud.com and I couldn't send or receive some messages, etc.

"Verification Failed. There was an error connecting to the Apple ID server."

I can't even tell if my last attempt to post this question here worked - it looked liked it failed, so I'm trying again.