There is something about a female archer that teases the imagination out of complacency. A woman warrior inspires. Keira Knightly's performance as Guinevere in King Arthur was so different from that of Vanessa Redgrave's in the musical, Camelot. Guinevere as a warrior is my kind of role model. I wonder if I could pull off the leather strap bodice look.
My first exposure to archery came at Girl Scout camp and was repeated in high school PE classes. It's not a sport for namby pambys. It takes strength to pull back the string the full length of the arrow. It is difficult to hold the bow steady while you aim. When you release the arrow, if you are not careful you can be snapped by the string, which is quite painful and can cause a nasty bruise.
The image of female archers added to the mystique of the movie, Hunger Games. I always pictured Amazon warriors as archers. Female archers are also featured in the summer olympics.
Wisconsin is one of many states that allows the carrying of concealed firearms. I wonder if we are on the way to becoming a nation of pistol-packin' mamas. I think we would be better off as a nation if we put the firearms industry out of business and reverted to more primitive weapons. Use of a bow takes more time and involves more of a thought process before inflicting damage.
But I am not really interested in the bow as a weapon. For me archery is target practice. Here is a photo of my recurve bow and quiver with arrows along with my wrist and finger guards:
It is a sport I enjoy. I'm no Robin Hood, of course. I can't split the shaft of the previous arrow from fifty paces, but I'm not a bad shot either.
I engage in the sport of archery because it allows me to fantasize that I could feed my family, defend home and hearth, and attract the strongest and handsomest mate. And doesn't everyone need a hobby?
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Comments
And for women, Dianne, the amazons
I've had dreams for years of my guardian angel, she is a very tall woman with a bow in arm and a quiver of arrows slung over her shoulder, she gives me the no-nonsense look...why my guardian angel looks like a badass from an old Mad Max movie, I'm not sure, but I love it when she shows up. : )
I take issue with the idea of putting the firearms industry out of business though. A romantic notion of swords and bows magically replacing the crude weapons of the modern age is fun, right up until you imagine drive by crossbowings, sword wounds in the ER and random acts of archery sending arrows hurling down from the sky in a rain of wooden death.
On the other hand I shoot a wooden recurve and find it calming. The patience, focus and instinctual muscle memory have made me a FAR better handgunner and not too shabby with a shotgun.
The diciplines are intertwined.
Once we get to energy weapons, then I'll say we've gone too far technologically.
Nice bit though, and a lovely read!
JT, Feel free to share your guardian angel with me.
Doug, You're funny.
Linda S. Thanks.
bow and arrow? definitely better than guns.
leave it to the divine keira to start a trend.
she is possibly an alien, i suspect...too smart &
gorgeous and able to do things no other 100 lb woman can do...
like face up to johnny depp & come out the winner..
arrows are love darts. Love and hate are close in the emotional
spectrum.... to kill someone by an arrow in the heart is
an act of deep love.
also the use of the bow gives good arm strength, essential
to a modern gal.
James, I think I might try killing my next man with an arrow to the heart - just so he knows how much I love him.
cool post.
James, I was only kidding. I love your comments.
I live in Robin Hood country, but have never tried my hand at archery. I think my ageing body and eyes might result in disaster.
I like the idea though.
I love to watch archery competitions or scenes in movies - it always looks so graceful and precise. Alas, I, myself, am so afraid to really try to shoot an arrow, because of what you mentioned about the bowstring snapping back....Cowards aren't fit for archery! :-) The Amazons were said to cut off one of their breasts so that it didn't interfere with where they placed their bows. Female archers are a powerful lot - yourself very much included!
Good luck with the man hunt. If I was a guy, I would have to think that was pretty hot.
I too would love to put the handgun business out of business, but I would rather replace it with respect and diplomacy than another weapon.
cc, Part of my attraction to archery is that I find it to be visually sublime.
Linda, One thing I've learned is that the weight comes off easier if you move the bod. Any activity will do.
Alysa, I've heard that about the Amazons, too, but I'm not quite ready to go that far.
Chick, You have no idea.
asia, I felt uncomfortable going into a hunting store, but a young man was polite and helpful. I spent $100 on the bow alone and more for the accessories, including a target.
nile, You'd be surprised how much muscle it takes.
Thanks to all for sharing your thoughts and for taking the time to read.