Ok folks I've figured out PART of what is happening:

the MAIN INDEX and FORUM tabs are not sending us to the most recent ... ??? day?

I sent DocJohn um now 3 PMs... about what is happening just tonight and what I realize. When I was sent back to the forum after the PM the posts were there! If I use the Main Index tab or another to change forums, the posts are NOT listed.

I could see the latest post on the right hand side SOMETIMES but only if I clicked on it, would I get it (Like HERE RIGHT NOW)
if I clicked on the forum name, I did not have the latest posts.

I haven't checked if I am only having trouble finding my OWN posts, but will try to watch and see if other's new posts are also not being listed....

Once I'm into a forum, and post, and IT returns me to the forum, it 's ok... but not to another forum or the main index. sigh.

thought I had really lost it there.