Hi there.
My name is Diana McDaniel Hampo, my husband is Alex. We have four kids. and live in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Jack is about to turn 25, Mary is 23, Lexie is 16 and Sandor is just 10. Crazy right? But it works for us. We have five red-neck acres and two dogs in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Alex is a professional chef and I work for a radio station. We never have enough money or time but here we are, happy in Hampoland.
I published a novel, Invisible branches, a few years ago. It got great reviews and I think sold 643 copies. I picked up one for myself this summer at a yard sale. I think I’m almost brilliant at least fifty percent of the time. And sometimes advertisers ask me to write blogs and they pay me. But I promise I’ll never miss-lead you.
I hope you enjoy Hampoland. We have a pretty good time.
Please e-mail me anytime at hampoland@gmail.com. I love comments.
Hi Diane,
I stumbled across this on the web and wanted to thank you for sharing your father’s story. I was doing some research on my mother’s family and as it turns out, your father is her Uncle. My Grandmother was Virginia (McDaniel Wright.) I guess he called her Ginia in his letter. My mother Carol Ann, was her oldest child. (She may have been the baby he was referring to in his letter?)
Sadly my mother died when I was just 6 years old and my sister and I were taken away from her side of the family and were not able to reconnect until we were older. By then most of them had passed away. I have been able to reconnect with some cousins through Facebook, I just recently shared with them your article. Ironically, I now work for the Holocaust Center in my area in accounting. I just wanted to reach out to you to also learn more about this side of our family! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Dana Smith
Diana
Please call me My phone number is (406) 356 2519
I have lots of background info on your ancestors and maybe you can help me some also.
Hi Diana
Someone told me about your Hampoland story on your father. I have been searching for a lead on him as I am tracing the descendants of my great grandmothers siblings. One of them was your great great grandmother. That is going back from your father: Iven Donald McDaniel, Granger Gertruido McDaniel to Elizabeth Ann (Kuykendall) McDaniel. Elizabeth Ann was sister to my great grandmother Mary (Kuykendall) Corley. Both of them Married in 1859 at Bell County Texas. Both were born in Mississippi. Elizabeth Ann Married David Moncher McDaniel. Granger Gertrudio was their fifth child.
Interesting blog. I had a Czech grandmother. Relatives in the Czech Republic would say the same thing as your mother-in-law. Your son Jack and I share a similar childhood . . . however, we went different ways. I joined the Navy and now play the piano, compose and sing church music. I have a friend from the South (I’m a Nebraskan) who at one time wanted to tie me to the barrel of a Parrot Rifle and blow my body out across Chattanooga. That’s why I found your blog. Its called “Blowing a Gun Execution”. Oh great! My mother was moved from O’Neill, Nebraska to Bentonville, Ark. in the 1950’s, but came back to Nebraska in 1961. I was born in 1962. I was stationed in the South while in the Navy. You cross the Missouri River or the Nebraska/Kansas border . . . the cultures are just a bit different. Have a friend from New Orleans also, answers his phones: “We’re either at church, having family time or out on the shooting range. Leave a message.” I’ll look up your novel. Sounds interesting. I’m not from the South.
Thanks, Mark D. Budka
Mark, I’m still not sure how you found hampoland, but I’m glad you did. Thanks so much for reading. Take care and keep on reading!
Dear Mrs. McDaniel Hampo,
Are you the granddaughter of architect Irvin McDaniels Sr. and daughter of Irvin McDaniels Jr? I am asking because I am with Arkansas Historic Preservation Program and was curious about some of their work. Please let me know. Thank you for your time.
Regards,
Mason Toms
Hi, I just found your site, I met Granger when I was 17, him & Sonja lived in apt across from me. I always felt like the gangly little girl next door when I was around him. I was always hopelessly in love with him for the rest of my life. Him & Sonja had just had Mercedes. I lost touch with them but could never forget them & always wanted to catch up with them & started looking a couple of years ago, but just caught up too late. I am so, so very sad, I wish I had looked harder, sooner, I might have been able to see Granger one last time….
Patti H.
Hi Pat, I’m sorry you missed him but glad you had a chance to be around him so long ago. You were one of the lucky ones. Seems like all the women were falling in love with Granger. He lived his life by his own rules, just the way he wanted. Take care.
I saw the post from May 19 of last year that anyone is welcome for dinner. I may have to take you up on that.
thanks connor, didn’t you already come over for dinner? you can come again but next time we’re gonna make you cook.
Diana, Comenting on you insightful letter to editor.
shareing with you the fact that there are others working on helping to save Malco.
Kathern Kinsey ex board member, Sissi Bennett Board chair when walk out happened. Malinda Herr Chanblis, Executuve Director of HSDFI before Little Rock group got involved.
We would like to speak to you. We Meet at my daughters Cupcake shop (Bliss) every Wednesday. Across the street from Lakeside school. Please give me a call 625-4781. Lets talk a little. Look forward to meeting you. Kathern Kinsey costume house-costume designer-producer.