The BBHQ Midweek News Round-Up **THE HEDGLINGS ARE HERE!!!** ~ Sauce is In The Shade, Pandora's Sunny Spot, and Fudge's Not Happy ~ **PLUS** Melvyn's Modelling

 Epic Greetings Furiends

Welcome to the BBHQ midweek news round-up!

Happy Wednesday!

Well, what a week, it just goes from bonkers to even more crazy. The washing machine died and went to washing machine heaven on Sunday. Good news, we've got a replacement coming on Thursday, same model, so that was unlucky and lucky! What with the dishwasher, the tumble dryer, and the radiators, things have been really fluffed as of late.

The weather has been a mix of sun, clouds, intermittent sun with clouds and full cloud coverage with wind. The wind was getting up yesterday, and it was a bit too cool for our liking, so we stayed inside, out of the frigid air. Then, last night, it rained with bluster... we hope that fluffs off soon.

But some good news, the hedgehogs are back.

Here's the first picture of one of this year's baby hedglings. The P.A. put some special hedgehog crunchies on the stepping stone

We've seen three so far, paws crossed, there's some more in the next few weeks.

And here's this week's Spring flowers.

These are some of the new bulbs we mentioned last week. They are just about to pop.

We can't wait to see the others when they emerge.

This Month's Embroidery - Cute Kitty

Art Journal Journey Link

We found a furbulous arty blog hop and mew know how much the P.A. loves all that stuff, so here's her little project. She hopes this is acceptable as the rules are quite strict. If not she tried! MOL (She'll have to get back in the craft room, and try again with her secret journal next time!)

And now let's look at this week's news.

First up in the news this week...

 Sauce is In The Shade

Parsley, also known as Mr Sauce at BBHQ, was sitting in the courtyard's shade the other day. A few paces back, he could have been in the sunshine.

Next up in the news...

 Pandora's Sunny Spot

Pandora found a sunny spot the other day.

And the daffodils are looking furbulous.

In other news...

 Fudge's Not Happy

Fudge was a little hissed off as the P.A. wouldn't let him on the roof; she blocked him just as he was about to launch off the dustbin.

She later found him sulking in the garden! #OHDEAR

And finally, this week

Melvyn's Modelling The Top Bandana Pick

Guys, we're going to make mew laugh now, the P.A. got this month's bandanas in a right twist and muddle, it wasn't Pretty Garden for this week, it was Colourful Owls! MOL OH MY Cod, she seriously needs a day off!

Melvyn looks adorable, and look, he's waving to his fans in the garden - well, the flowers in the pots! MOL

We'll sort out some new bandanas for next week and see if the P.A. can get it right next time! MOL #pawscrossed

That's us done for today. 

Amber will be back on Friday with another pawesome book, and if mew missed any other posts, here are the links:

Sunday Selfies

Monthly Meow'O'Scope

Amber's Latest Book Review

What The Fluff ~ BBHQ Q&A Episode 2

St Paddy's Brain Training with Cats

Colouring with Cats

Hoping mew have a furbulous day, and remember to always...

... and utterly epic!

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team 

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another post! 

Copyright Notice

© [2026] Bionic Basil. All Rights Reserved. No part of this post, characters, or lore may be reproduced, scraped, or rewritten in any form (including AI) without express written permission

Graphics created with paid license www.canva.com  

**LOVE TO COLOUR?** Colouring with Cats #139 ~ Getting Your OM’s on with Mandalas on Mondays ~ Pandora Welcomes Mew To Monday

Mindful Monday Magic with Pandora: Colouring Mandalas, Finding Your OM, and Unleashing Zen Harmonies at BionicBasil.com

Supurr  greetings, meautiful furiends

Today, Pandora is back to welcome mew to Monday, as she said, after my epic selfie yesterday, 

I think I should take another turn on the blog today! MOL

Nope, we weren't going to argue with that! 

This is what she thinks at the start of the week, but never fear, Smooch is here!

We hope that mew're ready for the week ahead, so let's jump right in and start as always with our little breathing exercise, which we're sure mew all have down paw by now...  but if mew've forgotten, stop what mew're doing for a moment and take deep fulfilling breaths; counting to five on the inhale and five on the exhale:

Breathe in

Breathe out

Breathe in

Breathe out

Breathe in

Breathe out

Smooch is here again to offer mew assistance in getting your OM's on and Zen Harmonies happening, so just press play, close your eyes and follow his instructions.



Don't mew feel better already?  I know we do!

All the mandalas featured are created & designed by us, aka The B Team.

Here's this time's mandala.

Right-click the image to save and/or print the mandala.

And here's our finished version. This time, we used a palette of pinks, magenta, and oranges.

Coloured on the iPad and then transformed in Prisma, this time we chose the effect - Bubblegum. 

Don't forget mew can download** our **FREE** Colouring with Cats here:- Books One, Two, Three and Four.

Colouring with Cats Book One

Colouring With Cats Book Two ~ Easy Mandalas 

Colouring With Cats Book III

Colouring With Cats Book IV

[**see our download policy here]

So on that note, we'll say bye for now and hope to see mew on Wednesday when we're back with our Midweek News Round-Up. And if mew missed any posts since Friday, here are the links:

Amber's Latest Book Review

Sunday Selfies with Pandora

Until then

Keep Calm and Colour OM!

Supurr zen purrs

Wing Commander Basil & The B Team

Don't forget to subscribe and never miss another mandala! 

Copyright Notice

© [2026] BionicBasil®. All Rights Reserved. No part of this post, characters, or lore may be reproduced, scraped, or rewritten in any form (including AI) without express written permission

Graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com  

Book Reviews with Amber ~ The Cat Book Connoisseur at The Mewton-Clawson Library ~ #351 featuring **Twelve Angry Librarians** by Miranda James **PLUS** Friendly Fill-Ins & Pet Photo Fails

From the shelves of the Mewton-Clawson Library, a curated review destination for cat-centric fiction at BionicBasil.com

✨ This Week’s Intro ~ 100% Stability, 100% Calm, 0% Shenanigans (Suspiciously) ✨

Hello, my gorgeous library guests

and

Welcome back to the Mewton‑Clawson Library at BBHQ.

I am thrilled to report that the library remains in a state of utter, uninterrupted serenity. Yes, my dahlings, another week of epic calm. No flickers. No anomalies. No books or tomes endeavouring to express themselves interpretively. The atmosphere is so peaceful that even the dust motes are floating in slow motion.

Melvyn, naturally, is convinced this is a trap.

The shelves are still flawlessly aligned.

The books are still whisper‑quiet.

The mice are still conducting themselves with the poise of tiny librarians in training.

Even the encyclopaedias have embraced a soothing hum that could be marketed as a relaxation soundtrack.

It’s all very … harmonious.

📚 A Morning of Tranquil Peace 

Me: “Melvyn, sweetie, isn’t this lovely? Another purrfectly calm morning.”

Melvyn: “Amber… the stapler hasn’t even clicked once today.”

Me: “It’s conserving energy.”

Melvyn: “It doesn’t conserve energy. It plots.”

Me: “Sweetie, everything needs a little stillness.”

Melvyn: “Even the thesaurus hasn’t sighed dramatically.”

Me: “It’s practising mindfulness.”

Melvyn: “Amber, it spent yesterday arranging its pages by emotional intensity. What’s left to be mindful about?”

Me: “Inner peace.”

Melvyn: “Amber, this level of calm is unnatural.”

Me: “It’s called tranquillity.”

Melvyn: “It’s called ominous.”

Me: “Sweetie, mew’re wound tighter than a ball of yarn at a kitten convention.”

Melvyn: “I’m just saying… the library is too quiet.”

Me: “It’s called serenity.”

Melvyn: “It’s called ‘something is about to happen.’”

Me: “The only thing happening is me trying to enjoy my catnip tea. Want a biscuit? I've got some Jammie Dodgers.”

Melvyn: “Amber… the thesaurus just walked past the door.”

Me: “Walking is good. Movement is healthy.”

Melvyn: “It was tiptoeing.”

Me: “It’s being considerate.”

Melvyn: “Amber, please.”

Me: “Fine. I’ll check on it after my tea.”

Melvyn: “Thank mew.”

Me: “Unless I fall asleep first."

📚 General Library Status Update

No time pockets

No flickers

No humming anomalies

No PPE‑wearing mice

No dictionary interventions

No thesaurus incidents (it is doing mindful colouring on Level Six)

In short:

The library is calm.

Deeply calm.

Suspiciously calm.

And honestly? I’m luxuriating in it.

So, my pawesome library guests, if mew notice the soft rustle of purrfectly behaved books and the gentle patter of mice who have embraced administrative excellence, rest assured, this is still the correct version of the library.

Probably.

Now, let’s begin this week’s travelogue before Melvyn starts crafting an emergency preparedness plan titled “What To Do When The Calm Inevitably Ends”, and Oswald begins stockpiling cheese cubes “just in case.”

🐊 Amber’s Egyptian Adventure #16: Crocodile Couture at Kom Ombo

(Where the Nile Glitters and the Crocodiles Judge Quietly)

Location: The Twin Temples of Kom Ombo - a purrfectly symmetrical sanctuary dedicated to Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder, perched dramatically on the Nile’s edge with sandstone glowing honey‑gold in the sun.

Time: Early evening, when the river breeze cools the air, and the temple stones radiate the day’s warmth like a purrfectly heated sunbed.

Dahlings, this week I ventured to Kom Ombo, a temple so symmetrical it felt like walking into a divine mirror, one side for Sobek, lord of crocodiles and chaos, and the other for Horus the Elder, noble and serene. Naturally, I positioned myself exactly in the centre, because balance is important… and also because both gods deserved an equal opportunity to admire me.

The Nile shimmered beside the temple, its waters catching the last rays of sunlight, which glimmered like golden sparkles as feluccas drifted past. I paused dramatically on the steps, tail elegantly curled, and announced:

“I, Amber, have arrived. Please keep all crocodiles and lesser deities calm.”

For this outing, I wore a Nile‑green silk wrap, flowing like river water, cinched with a belt of gold, malachite, and carnelian. Around my neck shimmered a crocodile‑scale collar in iridescent greens and blues. And atop my head? A twin‑plumed headdress with a stylised crocodile tail motif, fierce, furbulous, and guaranteed to make Sobek himself blink twice.

Inside, the temple walls told stories of offerings, rituals, and divine drama. I admired a relief of Sobek receiving tribute and whispered:

“Dahling, mew have excellent taste in accessories.”

Then I padded into the Crocodile Museum, where rows of mummified crocodiles lay in glass cases, their ancient teeth frozen in eternal judgment. I sipped my Crocodile Bite Cooler, a zesty blend of lime, mint, ginger, and a whisper of catnip essence and murmured:

“Oh my, I’ve never been surrounded by so many teeth.”

The dual sanctuaries glowed in the golden light, each chamber mirroring the other. I walked serenely between them, letting the symmetry frame me like a living hieroglyph. The breeze carried the scent of the Nile, and for a moment, I felt like the goddess of balance, beauty, and impeccable fashion.

Kom Ombo may honour two gods, but today it honoured me, a feline of elegance, courage, and just enough sass to keep the crocodiles guessing.

My Crocodile‑Approved Essentials Included:

🐊 A Crocodile Bite Cooler, sharp, refreshing, and with a hint of danger (just like Sobek)

📜 A scroll of temple inscriptions, annotated with my paw‑written notes, “I would’ve loved to have been here back in the day.”

👑 A twin‑plumed headdress, fierce enough to impress crocodiles and falcons alike

🐾 A Nile‑green silk wrap, ideal for dramatic poses against sandstone

Mood: Regal, river‑breezy, and deliciously daring (with one eye on the water… just in case)

Quote of the Day: “Two gods, one temple, and a cat who knows exactly where to stand.”

✨ Next week, we’re heading somewhere island‑bound, goddess‑blessed, and shimmering with magic. Think: sacred waters, lotus blossoms, and a temple rescued from the rising Nile.

Today, the P.A. is also joining in Friday Fill-ins Blog Hop with the pawesome 15 & Meowing and Four-Legged Furballs.

1. I rue the day ________________.

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is __________________.

3. _________ recently took a turn for the worse when _________.

4. My _________ has improved thanks to _________.

The P.A.'s answers are...

1. I rue the day I said, “I’ll remember that password.” I should have written it down, but there you go! LOL

2. One thing I wish I had closure with is what happened to the amethyst earring that mysteriously vanished years ago.

3. My healthy eating streak recently took a turn for the worse when hubby mentioned take-out pizza and pudding ... and chocolate pudding too ... it's my kryptonite.

4. My day has improved thanks to finding money in a coat I haven't worn in ages.

As it's the last Friday of the month, we're also joining in the furbulous...

Do stop by Mudpie's meowvellous blog at www.mochasmysteriesmeows.com to join in.

 Melvyn The Blur

He was mid lick, no more explanation needed! MOL 

Let's see what I've got to show mew this time!

Mewton-Clawson Library Copy

   Twelve Angry Librarians   

A Cat in the Stacks Mystery: 8

by

Miranda James

Today I thought it was about time to continue with the A Cat in the Stacks series, as it's been ages since I've reviewed any of Miranda James' furbulous novels, and they are so good. If mew missed any of the previous reviews for this series so far, here are the links to catch up:

Murder Past Due ~ Book One - Reviewed by Humphrey

Classified as Murder ~ Book Two

File M for Murder ~ Book Three

Out of Circulation ~ Book Four

The Silence of The Library  ~ Book 5

Arsenic and Old Books ~ Book 6

No Cats Allowed ~ Book 7

📚 This Week’s Paw‑Approved Top Pick: Twelve Angry Librarians

Dahlings, gather your tote bags and polish your spectacles, because this week’s book drops us right into the middle of a librarian convention, which, as it turns out, is far more dangerous than any of us polite library felines might have imagined. And at the centre of it all? Charlie Harris and the incomparable Diesel, a Maine Coon of magnificent proportions and even more magnificent intuition.

❓ What’s the Vibe?

Southern charm, academic drama, simmering rivalries, and a murder that practically begs for a cat’s discerning eye. It’s cozy, clever, and full of that warm, bookish atmosphere that makes me want to curl up on a stack of overdue returns and watch the drama unfold.

🐾 What’s the Story?

Charlie Harris, interim library director and full‑time cat dad to Diesel, is already stressed about hosting the Southern Academic Libraries Association's annual meeting. Public speaking? In front of librarians? The horror.

But things get worse, so much worse, when the keynote speaker turns out to be Gavin Fong, Charlie’s old nemesis from library school. Gavin is arrogant, abrasive, and determined to rile up the entire profession by declaring that degreed librarians are obsolete. Naturally, this does not go down well.

So when Gavin drops dead shortly after his speech, the list of suspects is longer than a library’s overdue fines. And because Charlie was seen arguing with him the day before, he’s suddenly the prime suspect.

Enter Diesel:

dignified

purrfectly observant

and ready to help his human sniff out the truth

Together, they must untangle academic grudges, professional jealousy, and librarian politics, which, trust me, are far more cut‑throat than they sound.

⚔️ What I Loved

😼 Diesel: A gentle giant with impeccable manners and impeccable instincts. His presence alone elevates every scene.

📚 The Librarian Drama: Oh, the pettiness. The rivalries. The whispered gossip over coffee urns. Delicious.

🕵️ Charlie: Endearing, thoughtful, and constantly trying to stay out of trouble … which never works.

🏫 The Academic Setting: A convention full of librarians is the purrfect backdrop for a mystery, so many secrets, so many grudges, so many tote bags.

🔍 The Mystery: Well‑paced, twisty, and satisfying. Plenty of clues, plenty of motives, and a final reveal that feels earned.

📖 Final Thoughts

This is a charming, warm, and thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery with just the right amount of tension. Diesel shines (as he should), Charlie muddles through with heart, and the academic setting adds a delightful flavour of professional chaos.

If mew love mysteries where the cat is the smartest creature in the room, and the humans are just trying to keep up, this is a wonderfully comforting read.

🪄 Summed Up in One Sentence

🐾 A delightful, librarian‑laden mystery where Diesel steals the show, and the humans scramble to keep up. 🐾

A Top Paw Read, and an epic addition to this meowvellous series!

Paperback: 266 pages

Audio: 7 hours 25 mins

My Ratings Scale

Ratings of:

Twelve Angry Librarians 

Overall Enjoyment

Other Fun Blog Hops to Join in Today

          Brian's Home   Catblogosphere    Feline Friday   Nature Friday    Flashback Friday   Friendship Friday    

   

I really hope mew enjoy the book as much as I did if mew decide to read it.

It's time for me to say BFN or bye-for-now as mew know the drill, so many books, so little time, and I'll be back next week with another specially paw-picked book just for mew, and don't forget that all my previous reviews can be found on my Book Review page.

Until next time...

Keep calm and read more books

Amber 

The Cat Book Connoisseur

Follow us @BionicBasil® on Instacat

Don't furget to subscribe and never miss another review! 

Copyright Notice

© [2026] BionicBasil®. All Rights Reserved. No part of this post, characters, or lore may be reproduced, scraped, or rewritten in any form (including AI) without express written permission

 graphics created with paid licence www.canva.com