My Editor Threatened To Sue Me!

Yeah, Another Blogger

Two Thursday mornings ago I found myself in the mood to raise my ass off the living room sofa and take a stroll outside. So, I did. The ensuing 40-minute walk through my suburban neighborhood and an abutting neighborhood was a fine one. The skies were friendly and the temperature was pleasant. And many flowering trees were in blossom, their petals adding calming colors and healthful vibrations to the milieu. I got up close and personal with hundreds of those blossoms and photographed them. They didn’t mind at all.

I don’t remember paying much attention to trees in flower until I was well into my senior citizenhood. Why, I’m not sure. But, for about the last eight years I’ve been a major fan. Their masses of flowers both soothe and awe me. Little wonder, then, that Yeah, Another Blogger contains a bunch of stories featuring trees abloom. Following the latest walk, I felt inspired to produce yet another. But was there truly a strong reason for me to do so? Hadn’t I already visited the topic enough times? I gave the matter some thought and decided that I definitely should proceed. After all, it would be foolish of me to ignore inspiration. Before beginning to write, though, I figured it would be a good idea to make sure Edgar Reewright, my editor, was on the same page as me. I called him the day after the walk.

Edgar answered after the first ring. “Neil, I feel a major bowel movement coming on,” he said, “so let’s keep this conversation short, okay? I assume there’s a writing-related issue you want to discuss.”

“You’ve read my mind, Edgar. Yup, I need your opinion about a story I’d like to pen. I was out for a walk yesterday and was floored by trees in flower. I can’t wait to sit down at my computer and bang out an essay about their amazing beauty, and about how they fill me with wonder. I think I’ll be able to complete the article in two or three days. It would be in your hands right after that, awaiting your magical editing skills.”

The silence that followed worried me, as well it should have. Finally, Edgar replied. “You’re out of your f*cking gourd, Neil!” he yelled. “What the hell is wrong with you? You’ve published flowering-trees stories six, seven, maybe eight times already. There’s nothing more to say about those trees! Sure, their flowers are voluminous and look great. But everybody knows this. Good lord, enough is enough. Spare me. Spare your readers. Believe me, none of them want to read another word about trees in bloom.”

Before I could get a word in, Edgar continued his tirade. “Listen, the BM is about one minute away from making its appearance. Neil, if you write your proposed story, I will not edit it. You’re on your own with this one. And if you publish anything I’ve said to you today, I’ll sue you for invasion of privacy!”

“Edgar,” I said, “maybe you’ve forgotten that I pay you exorbitantly to whip my stories into shape. You and your wife have been living the high life because of my extreme generosity. So, if you sue, I’ll dump you, and you’ll never be able to replace the income I send your way.”

Edgar responded immediately. “You win, Neil. But only partly. I will not sue. But I refuse to edit another flowering-trees article. And, speaking of dump, I’m headed to the bathroom as we speak. Urgent business is at hand. Signing off!”

It serves Edgar right that our conversation appears on this page. I mean, who ever heard of an editor refusing to edit? And this isn’t the first time he has pulled this stunt. I’m toying with the notion of docking his pay, but I know I won’t follow through on that, because Edgar has saved the day for me, writing-wise, time after time after time. I’d be lost without him. That’s the truth and nothing but the truth.

95 thoughts on “My Editor Threatened To Sue Me!”

  1. Geoff Stamper's avatar Geoff Stamper April 28, 2026 / 12:22 am

    Your unedited material is some of your best work, Neil. A little fertilizer can make a post blossom!

    Liked by 3 people

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  2. gabychops's avatar gabychops April 28, 2026 / 12:42 am

    Thank you, Neil, for another blooming post! Flowers are the essence of the world! As always, your imaginary editor brightens my morning!

    Joanna

    Liked by 2 people

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  3. Audrey Driscoll's avatar Audrey Driscoll April 28, 2026 / 12:54 am

    Those flowering trees just love posing for the camera. And I love looking at the photos, so never mind Mr. Reewright.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger April 28, 2026 / 10:51 am

      I’m sure I’ll want to write about flowering trees again one day. It will be interesting to find out what Edgar will think about that.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  4. johnlmalone's avatar johnlmalone April 28, 2026 / 2:05 am

    hahaha; you can never praise the beauty of blooms too much; ‘dumps’ and po-faced editors: what’s there not to like in this?

    Liked by 2 people

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  5. Lynette d'Arty-Cross's avatar Lynette d'Arty-Cross April 28, 2026 / 2:17 am

    Tell Edgar to enjoy his throne time. You can post as many bloomers as you want, Neil! These are gorgeous and there’s always, always, room for more. 🌸

    Liked by 2 people

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  6. Paddy Tobin's avatar Paddy Tobin April 28, 2026 / 2:54 am

    Ah, you can return again and again to enjoying trees in flower – you might even become a gardener now!

    Liked by 2 people

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      • Paddy Tobin's avatar Paddy Tobin April 28, 2026 / 12:37 pm

        A good undergardener, at least. A position I fill here myself – Lord of the Hedges and the Edges.

        Liked by 2 people

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  7. swabby429's avatar swabby429 April 28, 2026 / 4:19 am

    Flowering trees are subjects worth revisiting as often as one pleases. There is proof of this at cherry blossom time. I say, photograph and extol the virtues of flowering trees whenever you wish.

    Liked by 2 people

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  8. Monkey's Tale's avatar Monkey's Tale April 28, 2026 / 4:31 am

    Glad you snuck the blossom pictures and conversation past Mr Reewright. Thanks for the laughs, Maggie

    Liked by 2 people

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  10. Emma's avatar Emma April 28, 2026 / 5:35 am

    I love flowering tree content, so ya boo sucks to Mr Reewright and his overactive bowels!

    Liked by 2 people

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  11. Unknown's avatar Anonymous April 28, 2026 / 6:06 am

    Spring flowers are beautiful!! I love their bursts of color even if they do cover my car in sticky yellow pollen. Glad you ignored your editor, lol.

    Liked by 2 people

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  12. Bitchy After 60's avatar Bitchy After 60 April 28, 2026 / 6:32 am

    Glad you can ignore your editor. There can never be too many posts about trees and blossoms and the beauty of nature. Thanks for sharing them.

    Liked by 2 people

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  13. richardbist's avatar richardbist April 28, 2026 / 6:40 am

    Thanks for the laugh this morning, my friend! Your exchanges with Edgar are always a blast to read.

    As for your flowering tree piece, I think it was fine without his interference. Besides, the photos are fantastic. Worthy of picture-postcards.

    Have a great day!

    Liked by 2 people

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  14. The Introverted Bookworm's avatar The Introverted Bookworm April 28, 2026 / 6:46 am

    An editor refusing to edit is really something! I love your photographs of blossoms here and I like flowering tree content, too!

    Liked by 2 people

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  15. Denise Denton Thiery's avatar Denise Denton Thiery April 28, 2026 / 7:34 am

    Tell Edgar to “take a hike!” (figuratively speaking) and enjoy the beauty. We, your readers, love your pieces on nature’s beauty. Flowering trees are gorgeous and worthy pf all the print attention they can get.

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger April 28, 2026 / 11:07 am

      Morning, Denise. Trees in flower are amazing. For decades I didn’t pay all that much attention to them. I’m glad I now appreciate them.

      Liked by 2 people

      Reply
  16. Kounselling's avatar Kounselling April 28, 2026 / 8:04 am

    I love trees. They do so much for us, don’t they- cheer us up time and again? Why then wouldn’t we write about them as often?
    But how also nice that you have such frank discussions with your editor.

    Liked by 2 people

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  17. Helen Devries's avatar Helen Devries April 28, 2026 / 8:26 am

    Very glad you ignored your editor….more tree photographs!

    Liked by 2 people

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger April 28, 2026 / 11:10 am

      Yeah, trees are very inspiring. Trees probably will make more appearances on my blog this year.

      Like

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  18. Indira's avatar Indira April 28, 2026 / 8:33 am

    Gorgeous spring blossoms and their pictures! The anecdote is interesting.

    Liked by 2 people

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  19. Yvonne Beumkes's avatar Yvonne Beumkes April 28, 2026 / 8:39 am

    Why no tell Edgar to buy a camera and join you on on Thursday walks. I couldn’t stop laughing, such as enjoyable piece of writing. I love the photographs. Keep writing, keep walking, keep making photos and let Edgar get on with his (private) business.

    Liked by 2 people

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  20. J P's avatar J P April 28, 2026 / 8:41 am

    Blooms and organic compost always go together!

    Liked by 2 people

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  21. Unknown's avatar Anonymous April 28, 2026 / 9:02 am

    You know l always enjoy seeing your photos…trees are beautiful! Take a short drive to Glencairn and walk around the cathedral and take photos of the gorgeous flowers. Also take photos of all the gargoyles. You and your readers will be amazed.

    Liked by 2 people

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  22. Martie's avatar Martie April 28, 2026 / 10:00 am

    Always enjoy your stories and “inspiring”photos.

    Liked by 2 people

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  24. Jacqui Murray's avatar Jacqui Murray April 28, 2026 / 10:38 am

    Sometimes the people with the craziest opinions offer the best advice. I too would probably give him a pass.

    Liked by 2 people

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  25. talebender's avatar talebender April 28, 2026 / 11:15 am

    Really like the use of dialogue in this piece, which allowed the ‘characters’ to tell much of the story.

    Liked by 2 people

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  26. Fran Johns's avatar Fran Johns April 28, 2026 / 12:32 pm

    Edgar’s digestive system clearly needs him to slow down and admire the flowers. Or look up. Whatever. Thx for lovely pix. Hope this post will post; I am having major issues w WordPress and may be on their Black List.

    Liked by 2 people

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  27. John W. Howell's avatar John W. Howell April 28, 2026 / 12:50 pm

    I think Edgar is the kind of editor I need. One to tell me to STFU at times. I enjoyed post Neil

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  28. mariezhuikov's avatar mariezhuikov April 28, 2026 / 12:51 pm

    Yet somehow, you’ve found another way to write a flowering tree post. And it’s a good one!

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply
  30. Paula B's avatar Paula B April 28, 2026 / 1:14 pm

    “They didn’t mind at all.” Ha ha ha ha ha! I love your tiny sprinkles of humor! And I’m glad that curmudgeon Reewright allows them!

    Liked by 2 people

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      • Paula B's avatar Paula B April 28, 2026 / 2:30 pm

        Well, the cherry and magnolia blossoms are unfortunately coming to an end. There are still a few other flowering trees around, but unlike you, I have no idea what they are! 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

        Reply
  31. Rosaliene Bacchus's avatar Rosaliene Bacchus April 28, 2026 / 1:57 pm

    Neil, I’m so glad that you ventured outdoors to bring us these breathtaking blooms. You should dump Edgar and get yourself another editor who shares your vision. Besides, he totally lacks appreciation for your creative and humorous approach to writing stories 😀

    Liked by 2 people

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  33. Laurie Graves's avatar Laurie Graves April 28, 2026 / 4:51 pm

    As I am concerned, there can never be too many flowering tree pictures. It is a story that never gets old.

    Liked by 1 person

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  35. JT Twissel's avatar JT Twissel April 28, 2026 / 5:38 pm

    What’s the blooming world coming to if there’s no room for another blooming story? Surely, no good at all! Despite what the man on the toilet says.

    Liked by 1 person

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  37. NEERAJ SINGH's avatar NEERAJ SINGH April 29, 2026 / 12:46 am

    3. ​”Masterful capture! You have a real eye for finding beauty in the small things.”

    Liked by 1 person

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  38. CindyR's avatar CindyR April 29, 2026 / 1:01 am

    A flowering tree is a thing of beauty—a joy forever. Your editor is a curmudgeon. Edgar Beewrong on this one!

    Liked by 1 person

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    • Yeah, Another Blogger's avatar Yeah, Another Blogger April 29, 2026 / 8:48 am

      Morning, Cindy. The number of blossoms on many of these trees is incredible. Thousands of them!

      Like

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  39. ortensia's avatar ortensia April 29, 2026 / 2:56 am

    I have a cherry blossom flower tree in the front of my house and it the mess it dies when the flowers fall is a nightmare but it worth it all. It’s stunning and when hit by the sunlight even more.
    Beautiful pictures you took🤩

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  40. Platypus Man's avatar Platypus Man April 29, 2026 / 3:39 am

    Remember this, the writer is the master, the editor is merely a servant. But good luck persuading Mr Reewright to agree with that! Blossom is wonderful, a reminder of why it’s good to be alive…which is probably why dear old Edgar is against it.

    Liked by 1 person

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  41. Unknown's avatar Anonymous April 29, 2026 / 9:18 am

    Thanks for another “Charmin'” post! Let’s hear it for more potty humor! And pretty flowers! (I have a flowering crabapple tree in full bloom. I think I will name it Edgar.)

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply
  43. shoreacres's avatar shoreacres April 29, 2026 / 7:37 pm

    Like the honey badger, flowering trees just don’t care. They’re going to do their thing regardless of conditions, and I’m told there’s nothing they like more than knowing there are people admiring them while they’re showing off. Never mind Edgar; your readers love what you offer, edited or not!

    Liked by 1 person

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  44. eden baylee's avatar eden baylee April 29, 2026 / 10:37 pm

    ha, Edgar Reewright… priceless! And your cherry blossoms are out early. We’re still waiting here.

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