Hylton Update

I found a family history site for the family of my book's soldier. This note was attached to his file:

Joe, I have some information and a picture of Wm. H. Hylton that was in the book that belonged to my grandmother. It's titled "History of the First Methodist Church Dallas, Texas 1846-1946" compiled by Adolphus Werry. At the back of the book is a Memoriam section dedicated to 24 young men who lost their lives in service to their country during World War II. It reads as follows "Lieutenant William H. Hylton was born May 30, 1916 in Birmingham, Alabama. He was a graduate from Wilson * High School and was a student at S.M.U. when he enlisted. He was with West Texas Utilities at Dalhart. He was reported missing March 4, 1943. He was awarded the Air Medal with an oak leaf cluster. He is survived by his wife and his mother, Mrs. J. M. Campbell and sister, Mrs. R.H. Reed."

This site also lists Hylton as having had two wives, although that would have been a lot to handle before he even turned 27, although it's certainly possible. The site also listed his death date as 11 Mar 1943. I don't know what the seven days means, if they confirmed he was dead or whatnot. Still looking into it...

Oh, and the "H" stands for Haven.

Used books and military history.

Today I whipped through P. G. Wodehouse's book of shorts called Eggs, Beans and Crumpets. I purchased this book at the famous Blackwell's in Oxford, on the very top floor. Beautifully, Blackwell's first opened as a used book shop of only 12 square feet with 700 items for sale. Look how it's grown! Nine quick shorts do the job of entertaining oneself on a six/seven-hour bus ride home from the west country.

The coolest thing about my book is... Well, several things. The book was originally published by Herbert Jenkins in 1940. My copy is a second publishing, and though I don't know the year this second publication happened, there is a name and military unit information on the title page. Cool, right? "William H. Hylton, 332nd 59d 91st group"

So the internet is a powerful thing. I typed in "322nd" and "Hylton" into Google. I found the previous owner! I have, inadvertently, forged a bond with this person. Here's his deal: the 322nd Bombardment Group was created on 19 Jun 1942, and was activated on 17 Jul 1942. Online, I found some "dailies" from the 91st BG, and they gave me a little more info regarding my Hylton. Wm. H. Hylton was a 2nd Lieutenant and a navigator. On 3 Jan 1943, he was listed as destroying an FW 190. The only other time he comes up in that record is on 4 Mar 1943, as "Lt. William Hylton - Bombadier" and, quite sadly, as MIA. The dailies go through December 1943, but he isn't mentioned again. A little more research, and I found that he was never found, and presumed dead. I also learned that he entered the service from Texas, for what that's worth. The 91st division were nicknamed "The Ragged Irregulars" because they were so depleted by fatalities and injuries. I found a nice commemorative plaque.
So now I'm on a mission. A 2nd Lt. is pretty decent standing in the Air Force, which makes me think that he was older. Maybe he had a family? Maybe they'd like his book back? I'm intrigued that it would surface in a book shop in Oxford. Somehow it made its way over from Germany. How?!?

Time will tell. I'm on the trail.

My sister is cooler than your sister!

My sister Annie makes awesome art. Art is something I admire. The fact that my sister makes art is therefore something I admire about her. And that's not even touching the fact that said art is awesome. The art you see above was made for, you'll never guess so I'll tell you, a vending machine. Yup. BYU last semester sold some art through vending machines with proceeds going to charity. So that's cool, yes, but even cooler is this buff girl. We are all buff girls inside, I really do believe that. My arms might jiggle when I wave them, but don't be fooled. I'm a buff girl.

And I love my sister who wrote me a cool poem. In fact, as a send-off, I'll include that poem because I liked it so much:

A Sister's Lament

My dearest sister Heeree,
How very much I miss thee!
Thy blixy ways, with mem'ry fond,
I ponder oft; And gaze beyond
This campus small, across the sea
To where you learn and play without me.
Tho good I know your trip to be,
I'm saddened to the worst degree
By the lack of your good company
And former close proximity!
Perhaps my sorrow's naught but folly,
But, alas, I'm rendered melancholy.
Come back soon! My heart can't bear
The miles that lay 'twixt here and there!

I defy you to find a cooler sister. Except maybe my other three sisters can tie her for coolest...

La Hermana Gordon, and a lot of links

I inadvertently stumbled upon my dear friend Christy's vimeo page. Oh, delight of my heart! She is a beautiful person, currently serving a mission for the Church in Spokane, Spanish-speaking. Girl is a huge role model to me, a big reason why I'm going to serve a mission as well. I should write her a letter, whoops...

We worked together on the Mormon Missionary Diaries project at the Harold B. Lee Library on the campus of Brigham Young University in Provo, UT.

Wow.

This is what happens when I do not want to do homework. Nay, not one bit.

Signing out, here is a picture of me and Christy at a How to Host a Murder party. She played a 1970s businesswoman. I played the token floozy. In memoriam, Christy.

Windgirl

I've made a few really good friends on this trip. Honestly, everyone here's a champ; even if I don't love the person, no one is unbearable. I count this a great fortune when something as volatile as 40 girls and 1 guy in a small living space happens. But in this group, there are a few standouts. One of them is Abigail.

Things at which Abbie is good: making children smile, creating beautiful dance moves, dismounting from the top bunk, laughing from the diaphragm, discussing King Lear in the few hours before papers are due, looking gorgeous without makeup, reading at night with her headlamp, rollerblading in spandex, running through Hyde Park, being a card shark, winning every game ever, singing all sorts of happy songs, and in other ways fulfilling the wind element.

I love you, Abbie.

PS - When you die, can I have your sweatskirt from REI? Thanks.

This is a Tribute

To Simini.

"Did you know that you can play darts with thumbtacks? Yes, yes you can." Ack I miss you!

Studio 111

Oh the Cocherans! I love these people! They are funky artist friends of my family back home. They do a little of everything, and it is fun stuff, let me tell you. Their home is unreal, and walking through it an experience akin to passing through an incredible gallery of neo-groovy awesomeness. Nina made me a "Pat the Bunny" (well actually, "Pet the Puppy" but that's neither here nor there) retro notebook to console me for the removal of my wisdom teeth. Is that friendship or what?!?

Their greatest creations are their children, though. Their youngest daughter does karaoke like you wouldn't believe. So check out their site, give them some love, and appreciate the greatness.

Incidentally, here is a video their eldest son, my sister's greatest friend, put together. Of himself. Cleaning his room. Yes, I know it's cool.