Two Things

The first is not so unusual, I suppose. I've got "startitis", meaning my wandering eye and attention span limitations produce LOTS of unfinished objects. These are the latest - but by no means the only - UFOs beginning to populate shelf space in my closet:

* India ribbon yarn scarf started in the spring to go with my yellow trench coat

* Rowan ASC rectangular shawl for a co-worker, started a week ago because she said it's too cool at the office. Great for practicing the k2tog tbl / k2tog combo. It's producing an unexpectedly pretty open-work effect.

* Back part of tunic to be worn to Stitches Midwest conference, as I am told it is de rigueur to wear something you've made. Strong doubts about finishing this one in time for that conference.

Of course there's my Mom's sweater, which I wanted to have in time for her birthday in early August. Some of the Knitters Review forum pals came up with a great solution for the twisting yarn situation (Ziploc bag - works great and helps minimize the "twist and shout").

Besides my flea-like attention span, the other thing is that gets in the way of turning UFOs and WIPs to finished objects is the resurgence of the problems associated with the degeneration and bulging of three of the discs in my cervical spine. Pain and pressure on the nerves controlling my right arm sometimes mean no knitting, which really frustrates the heck out of me. As a typical product of American culture, I've grown accustomed to "I want it NOW". Course I realize there is time and effort involved in the creative process, but that doesn't stop me from trying to whip things out at light-speed.

What to do? Press on - carefully.