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The more attentive we are to the events of our lives, the richer the potential in mining for meaning. As I reflected on themes around my recent adventures in art, I found myself seeing more than a few of my life experiences with fresh eyes. Reflecting on some of your everyday experiences might prove rewarding for you as well.

If you’ve been following my recent posts on social media (Facebook and Instagram), you may have caught one or more of the ten brief videos vignettes in which I shared some of the experiences and inspirations that gave rise to the ‘Care For A Cuppa’ exhibition and the Café Series in general.

The series touched on all of these themes:  hospitality, contribution, community, relationship, connection, contemplation, beauty and creativity.

The entire series of vignettes has now been combined into this composite video along with a selection of the paintings from the show. If you are so inclined, I invite you to grab a cuppa your favorite beverage, press play, and reflect on your own life experiences connecting with self and others over a mug of coffee or a cup of tea.

If you haven’t yet seen the ‘Care For A Cuppa’ exhibition which has been featured through the fall at City Perks Coffeehouse in Saskatoon, this link will allow you to browse the individual works virtually and enjoy a virtual video tour of the show online at the Pauseworks Studio website.

As promised in my previous blog post, I’m sharing here the video tour of my ‘Care For A Cuppa’ art exhibit showing at City Perks Coffeehouse here in Saskatoon (807 7th Ave N).

At the request of City Perks, the show has been extended another two weeks until December 15/2021. So if you are in the neighborhood and would like to see the works in person, there is still time to do that.

Hope you enjoy the images whether you see them virtually or in person.

PS – For a closer look at each of the images, see the online virtual gallery.

Thanksgiving has come and gone and as I took my morning walk today, I remained thankful for all kinds of things. In particular, I noted how grateful I am to have my mind and my memories.

What prompted this line of thought was the news that beloved children’s author, Robert Munsch (I’ll Love You Forever, Mortimer, Thomas’ Snowsuit, The Paperbag Princess, and so many more modern classics) has been diagnosed with dementia.  This means that eventually his many memories and the stories he has created over the years will be gone to him.

This made me sad, and it made me appreciate my own memories even more. Many of my earliest recollections involve  (more…)

I could not resist! Driving home recently from a late afternoon appointment, I cruised by the kiddies’ rides in Kinsmen Park and thought to myself, “Why not?”

It was a stellar September day – sunny, calm and warm as could be – a beautiful day for a ride.

I pulled into the parking lot, bought myself tickets and hopped on a horse. When the merry go round rolled to a stop, I took to the skies on the Ferris wheel.

I ride carousels everywhere we go on our travels, and I hadn’t been on this one yet – this year!!!  I’m glad I took that little detour and a timeout to play.

When I posted these photos and reflections on my experience to my Facebook page, I was struck by the dozens of responses I received. (more…)

I so enjoyed this 45 minute conversation with Stephanie Staples and Barry Green recorded in early July as part of their Talk Reel series of engaging conversations.

We covered a few topics – but most especially the subject of malaise. We shared lots of info, insights, and plenty of laughs along the way.

So, when you next have a moment to put your feet up and enjoy a cup o’ java or a glass o’ vino, I invite you to tune in Talk Reel Episode #12 for a look and a listen.

I hope you find something that helps you traverse those moments of malaise that show up from time to time in your life.

David and I celebrated my birthday this week by going out for brunch. That used to be a fairly regular event in our lives, but not so recently. This was the first time we had eaten INSIDE a Saskatoon restaurant in over 15 months. Thank you Covid!

While we waited for our food to arrive, a fellow diner stopped by our table as his small party exited the restaurant. The young fellow (maybe 30ish) had been breakfasting across the way with his lady and their brand-new baby.

The fellow told us he’d noticed us through the windows, making our way along the river to the restaurant – walking hand in hand, chatting, and looking very happy.

He went on to say that seeing the two of us touched him. He hoped that he and his wife would be just as happy together as time went on; and he laughed when I told him we’d had almost 50 years of practice. How thoughtful he was to make an opportunity to share his thoughts with us. (more…)

I know some of you have been long time followers of my adventures in art, so I’m posting here to let you know about a Virtual Art Show and Sale that launched today and will run through the weekend to end of day, May 2.

Pandemic times do not lend themselves to public gatherings, so for the second year in a  row, I’m sharing some of my work in a virtual online show.

This Café Series Art Show & Sale – Part II – celebrates moments of connection over a cuppa tea or coffee. I hope it won’t be long until we can share those moments together again.

The series features original watercolors on stretched canvas, sealed with varnish spray, and ready to hang. No matting, framing, or glass protection required.

This Pauseworks Studio web-link will take you to full show and sale details, larger images, and descriptions of each of the paintings.

Here’s hoping these beauties all find new forever homes. Perhaps one will come to live with you!

Transitions can be challenging.

Last week marked ten years since my parents left the farm that they had lived on all their lives to take up residence in a condo in the city.

It was a massive transition that had its pros and cons. (more…)

A Delicate Balance

Note To Readers: Welcome to all the new Pause Blog subscribers. If you are one of those fine folks, you will have already read this message in the January 6th Pause e-zine.

I just realized that in my excitement at announcing the end of an era, that I neglected to post that final Pause message here on my blog as I usually do. So for the rest of you regular Blog subscribers, here it is.  I look forward to keeping in touch with all of you through this blog in the days ahead.

“It’s not the time you put in, but what you put in the time.”  This observation, known as Burg’s Philosophy, was the quote I featured in the very first Pause ezine published in 2001.

Looking back, I’m amazed at how many quotes and concepts I’ve shared over the last twenty years of messages. It’s been a creative challenge to partner the nub of an idea with reflection and research to craft messages that would help us all live with greater ease, meaning and joy.

I’ve especially appreciated my interactions with you, my readers.

• Sometimes you confirmed my thinking.
• Sometimes you challenged it.
• And often you pointed me in the direction of new ideas to explore. It’s been a great adventure and I’m grateful for it all.

As you may already have guessed from the tone of this message, after a run of two decades, I have decided to bring the era of the regular Pause ezine to a close.

That doesn’t mean I will stop noticing, thinking or writing. It does mean that I’m stepping away from a committed publication schedule and ezine format to embrace more freedom in form, topic, and timing. (more…)

I need more storage space for new works of art and that means I’m squeezed on inventory space for publications. That’s good news for you!

I’m starting the new year with special ‘clear the storeroom’ offers on these publications.

You can purchase any quantity of my two books (Press Pause…Press On or Press Pause…Think Again) for $5 each (normally $20).

And you can order any quantity of the Take A Bow booklets for $1 each (normally $7).  I’ll pay the tax and you pay the postage.

These publications are a great way to express your appreciation for those who have worked so hard during the pandemic of 2020 and to lift the spirits of those whom you’d like to encourage in the months that lie ahead.

To take advantage of this inventory reduction offer, contact me directly with your requests (via email at pat@patkatz.com) and I’ll be in touch about the details.

If you need more background info on any of the publications drop in to the Pause Shop for a look see and sample excerpts.