The Republicans Are Coming! The Republicans Are Coming!

Now, the Matron lives in a little-known urban neighborhood, one of those treasures. Hers is a gorgeous bluff above the Mississippi River. Every night, the Matron and her husband gasp at their (moderately priced) panoramic view of the Twin Cities.

But tonight, on her way home from three torturous hours at Como Town, she was unable to zip through downtown on an errand. Why? They're heeeeeeeeeeeeere. . . . all her favorite routes are orange road blocks. The Republican National Convention has taken up roost.

Why, she is SO close to downtown that on Monday, she will be able to see Karl Rove's nose hairs. And the plastic surgery stitch marks on Cindy McCain's face! Not that she's a leftie and a tad bit irreverent.

Okay, she is! Both!

The Matron and her family plan to bike downtown several times during the Republican National Convention and check out the wealth of alternative protest offerings. Cloud Cult is playing on Sunday, for free!! The Matron has sung their praises before she had so many readers and she hopes you click, because, oh, that band is worth knowing.

But at this wizened, mid-game age, the Matron understands that protest and fervor is just part of the picture. She's been of the pay it forward mindset of late.

To that end, in honor of the Republican National Convention breathing down her fair neck, the Matron is making a micro-loan through Kiva. Have $50 bucks that you can spare for a year? That money means the difference between poverty and prosperity -- even between hope and despair or life and death -- in the lives of millions.

If you've ever wondered how you can help someone who was born far less lucky than you, here's your chance. And she hopes all the kind-hearted, generous of spirit folk who read her blog (and that includes at least a few Repblicans because she knows and loves some) can find a few bucks they don't need for a year.

Want to save a family? She wonders how anyone could answer, no.