I'm having trouble again with the ring finger of my left hand (See 'Ask Dr. Guitar'). It's not as bad yet as it was the first time when I simply quit playing for three weeks then went on vacation for two months, during which time I played very little.

Now that I'm home again and have been playing about 15 hours a week again I can see that I'm going to have the same trouble. I'm going to quit again for right now.

I figure if it can't be got right, I'll switch to dobro- although I love my Martin, the music is the thing, not the instrument.

Good luck. Every now and again we're reminded of the importance of our hands...