“The freedmen are advised to remain quietly at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts and that they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.”

The forgoing was part of the June 19, 1865, message of Major General Gordon Granger, commanding the Union soldiers who landed at Galveston, Texas with news that the Civil War had ended and that the enslaved were now free, giving rise to today’s Juneteenth celebration, a public holiday in the District of Columbia.

In keeping therewith, I remain at home. I’m aware I shall not be supported in idleness, whether at a military post (Heaven forfend! Been there, done that) or elsewhere, but as US Tax Court is closed per Rules 1(d) and 25(a)(5), I’m taking the day off.