Gracie Allen died today – 43 years ago

U.S. comedian and actress Gracie Allen was born on July 26, 1895 in San Francisco, California. See said,“This used to be a government of checks and balances. Now it's all checks and no balances." [Ain’t that the truth.]... Ms. Allen died in 1964 in Hollywood, California.

Canadian writer Thomas Chandler Haliburton was born on December 17, 1796 in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada. He said, “Contentment is, after all, simply refined indolence." [ Not all contentment is “indolence” (“laziness or inactivity”).]... Mr. Haliburton died in 1865 in Isleworth, London Borough of Hounslow, London, England.

U.S. writer Sam Levenson was born on December 28, 1911 in New York City, New York. He said, “It's so simple to be wise. Just think of something stupid to say and say the opposite." [And which side of the equation is this one?]... Mr. Levenson died in 1980 in Neponsit, New York.

Greek writer Michael L. Dertouzos was born on November 5, 1936 in Athens, Greece. He said, “In comparison with the industrial age, the information era is at the steam engine stage. By the time information systems reach jet-plane status, we will focus on utility over fads, triple our productivity, use our computers as naturally and easily as we now use our cars..." [Could be.]... Mr. Dertouzos died in 2001 in Boston, Massachusetts.

U.S. humorist Bennett Cerf was born on May 25, 1898 in Manhattan, New York City, New York. He said, “A pat on the back, through only a few vertebrae removed from a kick in the pants, is miles ahead in results.” [Encouragement, he said.]... Mr. Cerf died in 1971 in Mount Kisco, New York.