Because of your location in Montana, it is impossible for the traditional warm season grasses to survive. What you likely have is Kentucky bluegrass which goes dormant and turns gray in the winter. It can go dormant in the summer, too, if it gets real hot and you don't water. The grass that remains green all winter is a tall fescue type of grass. The solution to a more even looking lawn is not that difficult, but I would like to know the answers to a couple questions. Your normal care routine might suggest a more perfect solution for you. What is your summer watering schedule (how long and how often?) How high/low do you mow and how often? What do you fertilize with and how often? I'm not sure it matters but where in MT do you live? Can you describe your soil (sandy, rocky, clayey, gravelly, loamy, etc.)

LOL! Wanda, don't count on it hon, old b*tches never die they just keep on going.

Voting is another topic on which I have very strong feelings. I firmly believe if you live in this country you have, not a "right" since we determined that there are no "rights" only privileges! ;) or a "privilege", but rather a duty. You have a duty to vote in my mind. It bugs me so much to hear people complain and then say they didn't vote. I've quit being "nice" about it. I tell them if you don't vote, don't complain. Simple as that. The, er, privilege to complain comes only with performing your duty to vote. There's all kinds of excuses not to vote but it comes down to convenience and laziness it seems. But interestingly the same inconvenience and laziness disappears for other things. I'm stepping down off my rickety soap box now. Be sure to vote. I'm very proud that Minnesota is a leader in the voter turnout and almost always is one of the top. "Minnesota 'Nice'" or "Minnesota 'Living Up To Our Duty'"?? :) Vote. It's very important. Have a say in your future. And I hope you'll be an informed voter and use more than just commercials. Compare and contrast. Sometimes the decision is easy, sometimes not so easy. But that's all part of the duty. Looking for 100% "I Voted" in the forum! And yes, I'm looking forward to the end of the campaigns!

@practigal, I think one reason it is so addicting is because it's so casual. Like having coffee with a friend while doing easy work. It's not like trying to figure out a whole house floor plain - and construction started yesterday, or problem solve an issue with a sub contractor that just cost you multiple thousands of $'s on a botched tile installation. I know we have stressful issues, but maybe not as often compared to some of the other forums on GW. So the laundry forum is usually light hearted and our clothes survive the crappy detergent with the horrible smell (that Larsi discribes so well ;-0