You all are wonderful--You've helped me separate two issues--playing it isn't the problem, *worrying* about damaging it while playing it (or having it ready at hand to play) is the problem.

I don't really need the reinforcement to PLAY this guitar; I prefer playing it to my old one. It actually makes me sound like a better guitar player than I am. Better yet, unlike my old guitar with light strings, I can play the Martin with medium strings for hours, without having my left elbow, wrist, and fingers get sore.

What I need is anxiety-reducing strategies, and the ones that have been suggested are all workable, including adjusting my attitude to accept that material things are transitory, and that nobody's perfect, and that, while I may be a klutz, I'm a guitar-playing klutz! Keep 'em coming!

Thank you all!