Hi,

My name is David Salinas. I am a Father, a Grandfather and a recent retiree. I've been in the facility and engineering field for over 44 years and have been a mentor, teacher and a leader in my field. I've enjoyed doing what I have done and have no regrets. (Well, maybe 1 or 2).

I have been on the south end of a camera for decades but never showed pictures of some of my excursions and thought it was time.

I love to camp. I own property in East Texas near Winnsboro, and on occasion I drive out there where I have an rv and spend a week or weekend either working around camp or trekking thru the woods. Camping has been a passion of mine since I was young. I've camped in the hills of northwest Arkansas, the cross timber region of West Texas and the Piney woods of East Texas. Each one has offered its own unique atmosphere and challenges to camping. But East Texas has captured my heart. It is there where I will begin the process of building a new home where I plan to spend quite a bit of time getting a new start to my life by reading, writing, and photography. (East Texas offers lots of places for photography, especially structural items such as old barns, old filling stations, Victorian homes, churches, even some old railroad stations, and of course wildlife). Life doesn't always hand us what we want but it shows us what we can do with what we have.

You see, I have leukemia. I have been battling this cancer since Dec. 2013, with many ups and downs because of it. It has slowed me down some. But I'm still in the game! I've just had to readjust my life. This particular cancer has many names, (Leukemia, CML, the Philadelphia chromosome), but it's still known by it's most common name; CANCER. But life is too short to lie down and let it consume my life, so I plan on living life to the fullest. At the moment I'm in remission. (This time two years ago I came out of remission. The cause is unknown to my oncologist, but am since back in remission).

So as I post, I'll post about life, love, Family, Friends, the good life and and maybe some of the not so good life, and who knows what else, and of course, camping.

Last but not least, you'll see my Christian faith as part of who I am and where I may be going with it. From my youth, I was brought up in a Christian private school, and was taught to listen to the Lord's calling. So throughout my life I've recognized His call and at times did not answer and was chastened thru my experiences. So listen closely because there will be times that God will speak thru the writings and photos.

This being a new year, I thought I would share more of my excursions and passions with all of you. I have new ideas that I want to try out. I may add a musical video with some of my photos, or maybe a poem or story. I hope to share some insight to the photos. And I welcome any thoughts, comments, and ideas that may help me improve my aim. ("pit'cher posture", you know!)

Someone from days of old shared her Flickr photos with me and got me hooked. She's an excellent photographer, but her identity will remain secret. But I look forward to sharing and seeing all that you folks have to share. I'm sure I'll get to know a number of you along the way!

Recently I completed writing a 5 year journal about my leukemia. I sent it out and had it printed into a book. Eventually I'll have it published and posted online, where it can be available to those who have gone through cancer, or are experiencing cancer in their lives. This is my story. If it helps just one person, then it has accomplished what it was sent out to do.

I've been writing a romance novel that I've titled, "The Lonely Shepherd" which is nearly complete and hoping to get published.

I've posted several photos that will be used in the story. One photo that inspired me to give it the title, mentions the title Character. For those who love finding clues about something, look through the 2019 and 2020 pictures and the comments for clues. Let me know when you find them. It's possible I may share some other clues! Who knows, you may even be mentioned as a character in the novel if your comment gives inspiration. I have room for more characters! I already have one who will be in it.

Here's to seeing each of you around Flickr!

David

email: Davids1309.ds@gmail.com

(Updated Mar. 2021)