LV Dan,
Thanks for all of the good information! I finally found (took) time this Holiday weekend to get after this problem. While I am not sure that I located exactally the problem, I do have brakelights that work again. I believe that there was a grounding problem with the trailer light adapter which had ridden unused and uncovered for years under the rear bumper. After checking all wires, connections, etc. and giving that plug good cleaning, I was back in business.
Thanks to you and all the others for the help and suggestions,
TJ