Yvonne Caruthers is a cellist in the NSO

Emil de Cou (the NSO's Associate Conductor) and I walked around Helena, Arkansas, this afternoon. In the cultural center is a wonderful exhibit about why Helena became a magnet for blues musicians. "Jelly Roll" de Cou sat down to play a few notes.

When we stopped at the Roadkill Grill for a snack we were joined by Janet Frank and David Howard, both cellists in the NSO, who were also out for a walk.

Helena is no longer an affluent town, but there are still a couple mansions to remind visitors of the town's once-thriving cotton and timber industries.

At a BBQ place this evening before the concert we spotted this sign and this T shirt.

And I think I've finally found my perfect retirement vehicle.

- Yvonne Caruthers, cellist