So, what does his gravestone say?
Okay, here's a not very difficult, but slightly offbeat, puzzle. A Texas surveyor had a connection with both of the objects seen in the photos below. What is inscribed on his gravestone?
Gail Borden, Jr.
Born November 9, 1801
Died January 11, 1874
Amoung other things possibly.
Loyal
Gail Borden, Jr.
> Gail Borden, Jr.
> Born November 9, 1801
> Died January 11, 1874
Yes, the building is the county courthouse of Borden County in Gail, Texas. Gail Borden's connection with condensed milk is that he invented the commercially successful process for making it after failing at the meat biscuit business.
Among Mr. Borden's other inventions may be the phrase "Remember the Alamo", which some histories have attributed to him. But what does his gravestone have to say about it all?
Gail Borden, Jr.
I tried and failed. I tried again and again and succeeded.
Gail Borden, Jr.
> I tried and failed. I tried again and again and succeeded.
How about "I tried to make doce de leite and failed. I tried again and again and succeeded. I know it's bad for my blood sugar level, but I love it!"
I can't think of Brazil without thinking of doce de leite. It's basically sweetened condensed milk that's been further condensed by stirring constantly over low heat. I usually overcook it, forgetting that it thickens a lot when cooled. The ideal consistency when cool is such that it won't drip from a spoon, though some prefer it runnier. A lot of Americans find it too sweet, but I was raised on it. Yum!
Gail Borden, Jr.
I had not used condensed milk in years until this past weekend. I really wanted an easy to make banana pudding and found a recipe that included it. Man, that was good....and rich....maybe again in a few years....
Gail Borden, Jr.
A search revealed that it can also be made very simply in the can. Remove the label, place the can directly in a large pan filled with water, bring to a boil, then simmer for two hours, then place in a refrigerator for three to four hours, cut out both ends of the can and slide out the good stuff. It can then be sliced.
Milk candy.
Gail Borden, Jr.
Just as a note of interest (or not), Mr. Borden was a native New Yorker.
He was born in Norwich, situated centrally between Albany, Syracuse and Binghamton.
Another well-know native was Harry Stack Sullivan, famous psychiatrist who developed the theory of interpersonal psychoanalysis.
.
Gail Borden, Jr.
> Just as a note of interest (or not), Mr. Borden was a native New Yorker.
Here's a link to the biographical sketch of Gail Borden, Jr. found in The Handbook of Texas
It looks as if Mr. Borden left New York as soon as he heard about Texas. :>
Gail Borden, Jr.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Gail_Borden_Monument_1024.jpg
But he came back to NY, to be buried at Woodlawn Cemetery......;-)
