the good news is I found the source of burning electrical something before there was a fire
Yesterday was making dinner when suddenly the microwave and radio blitzed out. Then I realized the 'puter had switched to battery power. Yup, tripped a circuit. A few minutes after flipping the power back on, the whole kitchen went crazy...trying to start the stove, it buzzed before the gas lit, the fridge light was at half power, the microwave light was at half power. Then everything settled down. Then a humming sound from behind me and then the plug-in CO alarm went off. I unplugged the CO alarm. Then figured out the humming sound came from the radio which was switched off. And then an burning electrical smell came wafting in.
I checked and checked and checked, looking, sniffing, each kitchen appliance, the basement, the living room...all clear. Felt the walls...all cool. Family room had the smell -- ack, that's where the direct vent propane heater is, but nothing coming from there. Bedroom had the smell too, plus I heard the electric baseboard in there crackling down to silence.
Apparently we had a couple power surges in a row. Thank dog for the surge protector on my laptop. I spent a couple nervous hours wondering about when the electrical fire would break out and should we just sleep in the car or barn tonight.
Then at bedtime, I switched on the teevee to see if the MPBN fundraising was over and Doc Martin back on. No teevee. I sniffed my teevee...still emanating burn smell. My teevee got fried. It's about 2 years old, doubtless just past its warranty. I'm taking it as a sign from the universe that my last little bit of teevee entertainment has been denied. Goodby Doc Martin. Also William and Mary. I hardly knew ye. 
= new reply since forum marked as read
We didn't have a storm in my immediate area, but earlier in the day I thought I might have heard rumbling way in the distance. I decided the rumbling was probably just trucks in the far distance, since Jakey didn't get the shakes and run and hide in the attic.
So I decided the power surge was probably TPTB toying with us, 
using HAARP to deliberately fry as many appliances as possible, forcing replacement purchases to up consumer spending and their profits. So I refuse to give in to their evil ways and will sacrifice teevee to the cause.
Either way, though, I should get the circuit boards checked.
