When I was about 8, I bought a huge bowie knife. I think I bought it to protect myself against the neighborhood bullies who brazenly came onto our farm and threatened me physically. I never actually carried that knife outside, but my cousin and I managed to run those bullies off the farm using clever tactics. We tossed rocks at them and ran off so they couldn't catch us. We were fast runners. We would also get on the big barn roof where we could pelt them with paint can lids. I installed a 'Tarzan swinging rope' that went out into a ravine, and rigged it to disconnect from the tree limb it was attached to as the 'swinger' reached the apex. It was great to watch the bully fall on his backside. After that, the bullies quit coming around and stopped picking on us little kids.
I was never physically bullied by anyone at any time in my entire life bh. I was bullied verbally by kids in grammar school because I skipped a few grades so I was younger than them and also I was painfully shy. I didn't have an easy time of it. I do not have good school memories of those times. In high school I was not bullied but I only had one friend whom I had had since 7th grade. She dumped me when we were in the 10th grade. She started hanging out with the "cool" kids. The girls wore lots of makeup and both girls and boys smoked behind the gym at lunch. It was the "fast" crowd and my personality/temperament would never fit plus I was two years younger than they were. But if I had been physically bullied I'm not sure what I would have done to defend myself. Boys are more used to always being challenged by other boys. I think it is definitely a macho dude thing. I can't imagine me buying any kind of weapon to defend myself but then I don't know whom I would have become if that were my background. I've heard of Jim Bowie. Didn't Alan Ladd or someone make a picture about him? I'm glad you were smart enough to figure out a way to deter the bullies. Good job retroactively said to your 8-year-old self! Thank you for your reply bh! :)
I'm sorry to hear that bh. No kid should have to put up with that. I think that is a rite of passage for far too many guys. Makes no sense to me. Any serious injuries to any of you?
B.H.Wilson 