Thanks for youre additional suggestions. Last night I found an obscure section of the Microsoft Help Area (they aren't actively supporting Office 2007 any more). There were 6-7 more highly complicated registry "diddling" options provided. I'm going try them all.

I STILL can't understand WHY my Office 2007 worked with no problems for years and all of a sudden started this mess.

I would probably bite the bullet and upgrade .... but look at all the people with Office 2013 that are having the same problem.

MICROSOFT !!!!!!! ARE YOU OUT THERE ?????

PLEASE FIX THIS !!!!

An ordinary Windows Update would be great ... Or one of your "Mr. Fixit" programs could specifically address the problem !!!