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Got an email from Ford today announcing a new update in the map software for the usual price of $149 with free shipping (how generous)! Does anyone in the known universe buy these ripoffs?

You might try putting the wipers in "service position" and see if that resets things: Turn on ignition (or press button so radio etc comes on). Wait a few seconds then turn off. Now (within 3 seconds) press down the wiper stalk (as though you are doing a single wipe). Hold down for a couple of seconds. Wipers should now move into the service position in the middle of with windshield. They will return to regular position when you next start the car. This is also how you change the wiper blades.

To the OP, if the sound you're hearing (you never described the sound) is a scuffing noise, it's the rear brakes as described in the post quoted here. A couple of things you can try: when first starting out, when it's safe to do so, allow yourself to do a couple of hard, sudden stops to work the brakes. Second, when safe to do so, at a low speed apply the parking brake (it uses the rear brakes only) and allow it to stop the car. Both of these will help scrape off the rust described by the poster. If your car tends to set for a few days at a time (you mentioned you're retired), the brakes will be more prone to this surface rust than if it's driven on a daily basis.