MoN,,
I play bluegrass banjo, yeah, Scruggs style 5-string.
I have kept this up into my old age,,mostly because I love it,,,
but I have also seriously considered that one day if the shit truly does hit the fan,,I can sit out on the curb and just play endlessly with the open banjo case there,,,
Now who wouldn't toss a dollar in for a white-haired old lady sitting there playing Earl's Breakdown ???
I'd keep it up until I had some nice dinner money..

So your red cup story may not be so far fetched...
There's an older woman who hangs out at a busy intersection,,,I keep a wad of one's in my visor for whe I stop there ...I'll bet she really hauls in a ton of money after a few hours there....

meanwhile there you are on my lengthening prayer list,,
for my daily God-bothering,,,and I know He hears me,,,

much love to all..