I have been having a series of strange things happen then un-happen lately.
I drove back from my Natchez Trace bike tour in one day. I made four pit stops along the nearly 1,000 mile drive. When I turned into the second gas station, I noticed a groaning sound coming from my left front wheel. Not good. After buying gas, caffeine, and snacks, I found a open area near the truck parking area and drove in slow circles with my window down. I could clearly hear the groan with each rotation of the wheel. I inspected the wheel and could see nothing unusual. With no realistic option, I decided to continue my drive and hope for the best. I made it all the way home without incident. The next day I drove the car and made a couple of tight circles. The groan was gone. Hmmm…
I did laundry after the trip. Nothing unusual. Afterwards, I washed a sweater using the delicate cycle on both the washer and dryer. During the drying cycle the wee screen on the dryer’s controls said that there was lint build up on the outflow from the machine. I replaced a clogged filter (a pair of pantyhose) and manually cleared as much of the flexible vent tube as I could reach. I started the dryer and went outside to check the outflow of air. It was practically blasting out of the vent. I went inside and the message re-appeared. I had spent the better part of an hour screwing around with the machine so I quit. I think the next step is to try the modern day version of smacking the machine on the side: unplug it and plug it back in.
On Sunday I drove my car to brunch at a friend’s house. I turned on the car radio. No sound came out of the speakers. The radio seemed to be operating fine: the display lit up, the presets worked, the clock worked etc. I put a CD in the radio to see if that would work. The display worked fine but once again no sound came out of the speakers. I decided the likely problem was a blown fuse. After the brunch I started to drive home and reflexively turned on the radio. It worked! I put a CD in and it worked too.
My man cave has a bathroom located directly behind my TV chair. I was watching a baseball game when I heard the toilet flush. As a long-time homeowner, I know this is caused by a bad seal in the tank. On my way home from a bike event on Saturday, I picked up a new seal. I set it on the vanity with the intention of installing it sometime on Sunday. In the ensuing 24 hours the toilet functioned completely normally.
I am sure there is a rational explanation for these mysteries but, for now, I am staying clear of the furnace and the oven.
A Few Spokes Shy of a Wheel 
Maybe your car and your appliances are telling you they missed you while you were out riding your bike?
1) Dryer vent. Flexible vents tend to sag and fill with water to impede flow, especially the plastic kind. A little water could trigger alarm. A lot of water can form a trap and block flow entirely. The weight can be enough to pull a connection apart. Rigid vents work better. 2) Brakes. There may be a dust shield on the inboard side. They rust over time and come loose, making noise especially when you turn. It may come and go as the shield moves. Removing the shield gets rid of the noise permanently. My mechanic said there was no reason to replace it once he tore off the rusted one. It might fall off to make the noise stop, but mine had to be removed. 3) Toilet. Sometimes a bit of debris (rust, mineral deposit, or rubber bits from the ball or flapper) forms on the flush valve seat, making it leak. A subsequent flush could break it loose so the problem goes away. Usually you have to remove it by running a finger or sandpaper around the rim of the valve seat. If the rubber of the ball or flapper feels gummy, it’s time to change it. 4) Radio no sound. Could be a loose connection, especially if it later starts cutting in and out.
5) All of above. Gremlins.