Return from Canada

It is now almost three weeks since Asha and I returned from our trip to Canada and what a wonderful journey it was. It is so good to share quality time with those you love. We began our Ontario stay with good friends Vera, Scott and Aidan in Toronto. It was the first time we’d seen them in six years. We ended our trip with a short but sweet sharing with Chris and Carmen and their now grown up boys. I hadn’t seen them in more than eighteen years. In between, we spent part of the visit with my mother in Tillsonburg and part with my sister Cathy and her family in Cambridge. Aside from simple sharing of meals, meal preparation, walks, talks and the viewing of old family slides, there was a trip to my birthplace, Niagara Falls. I spoke with a curator in The Butterfly House near Niagara. Just as I told her of the great movie starring William Hurt, The Blue Butterfly, and describing the time when I was covered in butterflies in China, Blue Morpho butterflies landed on me. There are no coincidences.

Released in 2004 and based on a true story, The Blue Butterfly tells the story of a terminally ill 10-year-old boy whose dream is to catch the most beautiful butterfly on Earth, the mythic and elusive Blue Morpho. His mother persuades a renowned entomologist to take them on a trip to the jungle in to search for the butterfly, leading to an adventure that will transform their lives. The picture is filmed in Costa Rica and Montreal.

Near the end of our Ontario visit I was interviewed about my book by a London (Ontario) writer who was filling in for a Tillsonburg journalist who was off sick. I’m pleased with the article, John Haines’ Search for Simplicity, Jason Rip wrote.

We’ve had mostly amazing spring weather since returning to New Zealand. The garden continues to flourish, responding more than favourably to the almost four years of seaweed and compost it has received. My breakfasts these last weeks have been smoothies made almost exclusively from the fruits of our garden—bananas, tropical guavas, babacos and pepinos. It is so satisfying and nourishing to eat the fruits of one’s labours.

The Book Is Almost Available

Every now and then a book comes along with the power to transform the lives of its readers. In Search of Simplicity has the ability to do just that. It is an autobiographical travel adventure story that reads like a novel. Over the years, when the author has told some of the stories of coincidences that are now contained within the book, listeners began to have (or at least to notice) magical happenings in their own lives.
The timely themes woven through the easy to read narrative include the power of coincidence; ecological, social and economic responsibility; and personal awakening.
In today’s uncertain world of mortgage pressures, global warming and seemingly endless war, many feel powerless in their ability to create positive change personally, nationally and globally. In Search of Simplicity provides answers to this dilemma of uncertainty. It points the way for each reader to find the life of their deepest longing, a life of simplicity and self assurance, while enjoying a rollicking good read.



Advance Praise for
In Search of Simplicity

“Like an innocent child, John Haines lures us to join him in awesome wonder at life’s beauty, magic and mystery. His enlightened temperament oozes on every page into a simple philosophy that life has good, everywhere.”
Roselyn DeGaris, Adelaide, Australia

“As you read the many colorful accounts of John Haines’ true story you find that he has all the color and verve and life experience of an Indiana Jones.”
Elan Sun Star, Photographer-Writer-Teacher, Hawaii www.sunstarphoto.com

“As modern society takes us further away from simple living, the message in this book brings us back to what matters most, by reminding us that ‘simplicity’ is available at any time when we are prepared to open our hearts and minds and engage fully with the world around us. In this way, being present to each moment reconnects us with the preciousness of life.”
Suzanne Stewart, Buddhist practitioner, Wellington

“…interesting, captivating and thought provoking …a great read and a great author. You won’t and can’t put it down!”
Jenny Hamberger, New Zealand

For additional information including excerpts visit:
http://groups.msn.com/InSearchofSimplicity



ISBNs: 1-4392-0731-3 and 9781439207314

Order additional copies on-line www.amazon.com
In the USA call toll free 1-866-308-6235
Elsewhere phone 1-843-789-5000