JUNE 19, 2026

“Don’t play too much golf. Two rounds a day are plenty.”

–Harry Vardon, 6 time British Open champion, and winner of the 1900 U.S. Open championship.

The first day of the U.S. Open was an overcast, windy affair, with cool temperatures. There was a 2 hour delay due to heavy fog. Though the USGA set up the course as easy as possible, the scores were high. Because Shinnecock Hills is a very difficult golf course.

Wyndam Clark, Dustin Johnson, and others top the field. An amateur led the field at 1 point, and 2 are within striking distance. There is a lot of golf to be played.

Today is Juneteenth, a made up federal holiday about nothing. It was a racial sop by the Democrats to black folks, to make them think that Democrats actually care about them. They do not.

On June 19, 1865, Union troops entered the city of Galveston, Texas, assembled all the black slaves, and read to them The Emancipation Proclamation, which was written in 1862, and effective on January 1, 1863. So more than 2 years later, the commanding U.S. officer informed the enslaved people in Galveston that they were free. AND THEN, he instructed them to return to their masters, and remain until further instructions. In other words, you people are free, but . . . you are not. Sigh.

Senator John Cornyn (R. Tx.) was a big supporter of establishing Juneteenth as a federal holiday. So my apologies to Senator Cornyn. Previously I suggested that he had accomplished nothing in his long tenure in government. I was wrong.

Personally, I dislike Juneteenth. It is bad history. It is a racial, performative event, injecting politics where it does not belong. But the worst is that the banks, post offices, and courts are closed, making it impossible to conduct business. AND, The Wall Street Journal does not publish. I find that irritating. But The Observations does publish! Take that Dow Jones & Company!

“What do you like doing best in the world, Pooh?”

“Well,” said Pooh, “what I like best-” and then he had to stop and think. Because although Eating Honey was a very good thing to do, there was a moment just before you began to eat it which was better than when you were, but he didn’t know what it was called. And then he thought that being with Christopher Robin was a very good thing to do, and having Piglet near was a very friendly thing to have; and so, when he had thought it all out, he said, “What I like best in the whole world is Me and Piglet going to see You, and You saying ‘What about a little something?’ and Me saying, ‘Well, I shouldn’t mind a little something, should you, Piglet,’ and it being a hummy sort of day outside, and birds singing.”

“I like that too,” said Christopher Robin, “but what I like doing best is Nothing.”

“How do you do Nothing?” asked Pooh, after he had wondered for a long time. “Well, it’s when people call out at you just as you’re going off to do it, What are you going to do Christopher Robin, and you say, Oh, nothing, and you go and do it.” “Oh, I see,” said Pooh. “This is a nothing sort of thing that we’re doing right now.” “Oh, I see,” said Pooh again. “It means just going along, listening to all the things you can’t hear and not bothering.” “Oh!” said Pooh.”

“Then, suddenly again, Christopher Robin, who was still looking at the world, with his chin in his hand, called out “Pooh!” “Yes?” said Pooh. “When I’m–when–Pooh!” “Yes, Christopher Robin?” “I’m not going to do Nothing any more.” “Never again?” “Well, not so much. They don’t let you.” Pooh waited for him to go on, but he was silent again. “Yes, Christopher Robin?” said Pooh helpfully. “Pooh, when I’m–you know–when I’m not doing Nothing, will you come up here sometimes?” “Just me?” “Yes, Pooh.” “Will you be here too?” “Yes Pooh, I will be really. I promise I will be Pooh.” “That’s good,” said Pooh. “Pooh, promise you won’t forget about me, ever. Not even when I’m a hundred.” Pooh thought for a little. “How old shall I be then?” “Ninety-nine.” Pooh nodded. “I promise,” he said. Still with his eyes on the world Christopher Robin put out a hand and felt Pooh’s paw. “Pooh,” said Christopher Robin earnestly, “if I–if I’m not quite–” he stopped and tried again– “Pooh, whatever happens, you will understand, won’t you?” “Understand what?” “Oh, nothing.” He laughed and jumped to his feet. “Come on!” “Where?” said Pooh. “Anywhere.” said Christopher Robin.

So, they went off together. But wherever they go, and whatever happens to them on the way, in that enchanted place on the top of the Forest, a little boy and his Bear will always be playing.”

–A.A. Milne, The House At Pooh Corner

Summer is nigh! Get an early start. Do nothing today. And enjoy yourself.

GFK