Well -  I don't know what happened, but I just checked back on the program (which I had kept running in an open window) and everything seems to be back to normal.  I wonder if there was some sort of timed operation that ran it's course and turned itself off?  Still would like to know how I might reset what ever was wrong w/o having to wait it out...
 I was in the middle of a cut and past operation on an existing document and I accidentally did something wrong (perhaps touched a key on the keyboard in error).

 My program is now exhibiting unacceptable behavior - and it is impossible to work with it.
 I tried opening and closing word, rebooting the system, removing and reinstalling word - yet the problem remains.
 This leads me to conclude that the registry or configuration file was changed and the setting continues to be recognized.

 1) I no longer have access to the menu options using the ALT-F (etc, etc, etc) key.  I must use the mouse and click on File, Edit, Help, etc.

 2) The right click on my mouse no longer works.

 3) The cursor highlights everything above or below it when I move the cursor - just as if I was right clicking to highlight for a cut and paste operation (see #2 above).

 4) When I try to open a new file - and select #3 in the list, files #1 and #2 are highlighted and opened along with #3.

 So it seems as if I have turned on something with the mouse, right click that needs to be turned off.

 Hoping that someone has an idea how to tackle this...