Growing Up With G.I. Joe's

Book Manuscript Goes to Copy Editor

2013-05-16T19:46:00.001-07:00

The "Growing Up..." manuscript is heading for review by a copy editor! I finished my editing and enlarging a few weeks ago, and am sitting back waiting to see what the copy editor suggests.

The process has already proved worthwhile in a sample chapter edit she conducted. In the first paragraph, I used two words, that should have been combined into one! Spellcheck didn't catch it, but the editor did.

So thrilled that I am one step closer to publishing the book, and sharing my dad and G.I. Joe's story...

Edward Orkney, Bomber Pilot in New Guinea, 1943 or 1944

Thank you!

2013-03-23T18:13:00.001-07:00

There have been over 5,000 page views of Growing Up With G.I. Joe's since this website started!

Joe's Sports and Outdoor Alumni

2013-03-22T17:37:00.003-07:00

FYI, you can visit the Facebook page of former G.I. Joe's (Joe's Sports, etc) employees at: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Joes-Sports-and-Outdoor-Alumni/90022842221?fref=ts

Read Comments!

2013-03-22T17:31:00.004-07:00

Just a reminder that comments made to this blog are on a separate website. Check out: http://growingupwithgijoescomments.blogspot.com

Still Writing for Publication of Growing Up...

2013-03-22T17:29:00.003-07:00

The Growing Up with G.I. Joe's story is expanding as I continue to edit. I am adding more chapters and photos, looking to wind up this phase in April. Then, everyone says you need an editor to go over everything, but I know that when I am finished, I will want to get the book out and skip that step!
I will keep you posted,
Janna Orkney
March 22, 2013
PS. Comments? Make them here at the blog, or email me at: Orkney@sbcglobal.net.

Updating "Growing Up" Taking MUCH Longer Than Anticipated!

2013-02-10T12:40:00.005-08:00

I have gathered more photos of the early days of G.I. Joe's and of my childhood and have added those to the book-to-be.
Now, I am completing a final editing and fact-check process. When that is wrapped up, I will publish "Growing Up With G.I. Joe's" as an e-book for Amazon, and hopefully for the Apple iPad.
I guess I have been procrastinating a bit, because the fun part of writing for me is the initial creative writing, not the clean-it-up and make-it-more clear work, but I am persevering!
I look forward to being finished the end of February or first of March.
Thanks for your patience!
Janna Orkney, February 10, 2013

2012-06-27T14:20:00.000-07:00

Thanks for Sharing in the Memories...

2010-10-26T18:59:00.000-07:00

I have enjoyed sharing "Growing Up With G.I. Joe's," online for the past few years. I now feel that the goal I had, to make known my father's story of starting and building the business, has been realized, and it is time to move on and remove this from the internet.
Thanks for the comments and emails, and I wish you all the best. If you wish to email me in regard to the history of G.I. Joe's, you can email me at: Orkney@sbcglobal.net.
Here"s to Oregon and the Pacific Northwest!
Janna Orkney
October 26, 2010

Joe's Sports Liquidating, March 8, 2009

2009-04-11T14:17:00.000-07:00

What a sad day!
Janna Orkney

2008-07-21T21:28:00.000-07:00

Excerpts from Chapters of 2008 Blog Version of "Growing Up With G.I. Joe's"
Part I
Beginnings
In 1947, My dad, Edward Orkney, started his first war surplus store in Salem, Oregon, in partnership with another World War II Army Air Corps pilot.

Part II
Our HomeWe lived close to the Columbia River, which was about a half mile away, with the Interstate Bridge a few miles further away..

Part III
The Store and Neighborhood

I believe G.I. Joe's was more than just a fun place. Looking back, the store represented a wave of the future for the Northwest...

Part IV
Store Growth and Family ChangeMy father, Edward Orkney’s main focus, from the time he left the Army Air Corps in 1945, was to build a business, and he did.

Part V
Edward Orkney’s Story

Another quality my father had was modesty. Bragging was not something he did. A simple statement of the facts was OK, but not drawing attention to oneself...