What am i overlooking? I'm a long-time user of Inkscape. However, why my inkscape suddenly began grouping objects together that I have NOT told it to group.

If I ungroup the object and move it around, it might still get re-grouped with objects surrounding it without me doing so.

I wish i could tell you how and when it happens but I can't find a consistent pattern. I'm using Windows 7 with inkscape 0.48.2 r9819

Hi there!

Sounds like you entered a group, made some modifications inside the group, and exited the group.
Watch what the indicator line says at the bottom when you select the object.
Keep in mind you can select anything inside a group by the node editor tool,
meaning you enter the group for editing, without double clicking with the object selector tool on the group.
Try to use the Ctl+Enter, Ctrl+Backspace keys to enter and exit groups,
and Ctrl+Shift+G to ungroup groups.

I can be totally wrong with these but this was how I understood your explanation.

I will give it a shot! thank you