CORRECTION: I can't explain why but I have noticed now that with the FIle, Preferences, General, Default Locations check box UNCHECKED, the folder selection now works as expected. That is to say, when I select a folder from the File, Open, Recent Folders list, the folder I chose is displayed. Maybe I needed to reboot my computer for it to take effect or something.
If I check (select) the default locations box, then when I go to File, Open, Recent Folders, choosing a recent folder doesn't work, it always opens the "last" folder from which a file was opened. I could understand how changing this setting would affect the File, Open, Browse function but I don't understand why anyone would want to completely disable their ability to choose a recent folder from the list of recent folders. I assume this isn't what is intended but at least the issue that bothered me most seems to be corrected.
Thanks again Steven for the suggestion, not sure why it ended up working but happy it did.
Nomde