It's the Labor Day weekend and most of the neighbors have left for a last chance at camping. I didn't have to leave. The tent has been up in the backyard for more than a month so when the urge to camp hits me, all I have to do is head to my private campsite.

The fire pit gets lit and my favorite chair gets pulled up close. Steam from a hot cup of coffee dissipates into the cool autumn air. I only got to go camping at Nordegg once this summer but that's okay because I accomplished a lot around the yard and got to spend the overnight in my backyard tent.

The cool night time air makes for great sleeping conditions. I like listening to the rain on the tent dome and the morning birds as they awaken. Once I roll out of the cot and unzip the door, I'm ready to enjoy the backyard and the projects planned for it. 

It's the best of both worlds; after all, I do live at the lake and can hear the water birds and can smell the lake smells. I just don't live water front but my tent is probably closer to the water than what I would be at a camp site.

I'm finally able to see the vision that I had for my backyard. The shrubs are filling in nicely. The perennials are inviting the bees and butterflies into the yard. The berry producing trees had fruit for the first time in four years. It's no wonder I didn't want to leave home.

I'm in the process of staining the back deck. The temperature is one that I can tolerate now and the birds provide the entertainment when I want to take a break. The geese and the cranes circle overhead as they prepare for their trek south.

Autumn is next favorite season to winter and I plan on spending as much of my time enjoying it as I'm able to.