Update and solution--
--Called my wizardly electrician---
He said it must be in the wiring somewhere. All cords were intact, took apart the plug on the planer and, lo and behold, the ground and one hot lead had pulled out of their prong retainers. Both had arced and welded to the hot prong. Cut away the bad stuff, reattached and all is well!!!
--Spoke with my wife--
She said "with your life style I should collect on your death benefits soon enough!!"
--Spoke with the shrink--
It was her impression that a little shock therapy is a reasonable treatment choice for me, and if it works as expected, my wife may not mind having me around in the future and may take back all the things she said about my early demise. Hopely she will take back all the party cloths she bought at Nordstroms with the anticipated insurance $$$$$.
All of you were correct with your diagnosis(s).
Thanks, JCB