Pepper spray in one of those little dangly things, hanging off one of those coiled plastic wristbands. Maybe a stun gun, but you have to be careful with those -- I know of somebody who wasn't and gave herself a pretty rude surprise.

If you're really up to hurting another person in self-defense, I hope you've practiced some basic moves for if someone comes up behind you and pins your arms (which would mean you couldn't get to the spray or stunner). You can rake shins and stamp insteps with your heel -- it's amazingly painful and can cause the assailant's grip to weaken -- then turn around and easily break a nose (or at least induce an eye-watering blow rapidly followed by kick to kneecap or crotch) with the heel of your hand. But you do all that fast and violently, with zero hesitation.

Become somewhat fearful and think of yourself as a prey animal, like your namesake. Start "checking six" frequently.

Actually, "somewhat fearful" is probably a little harsh. "Appropriately vigilant"; better?

Well, if you've got a weed-whacker in hand...

The Tae Kwon Do studio that I attended for years growing up used to do women's only self-defense classes once a month on Saturday morning. Perhaps you could find one in your area?

Anecdotally: One of the women who took those classes (and whose husband and kids were TKD students at that studio) had a man break into her house and hold a knife to her throat, threatening to rape her. She waited for the right opportunity and struck.

When her husband walked in, they were on the kitchen floor, her on top of him, and the assailant begging to get this crazy bitch off of him. Why? She had her thumb knuckle-deep into one of his eyes.

I was going to mention that eyes are good, especially if you're not squeamish. People -- even "tough guys" -- instinctively go defensive over eyes, and an eye injury is pretty debilitating and painful, so you can usually win the fight from there.

If you have time to turn to face the attacker and aren't grabbed from behind -- I tend to worst-case this stuff -- think of the weed-whacker as a pugil stick or bo. Crotches, knees, throats, faces on attack; parry hands and feet on defense.

There are certain places where I choose to carry a metal-tipped umbrella, whatever the weather.

Another option: Can you take a dog along with you? S/he doesn't have be some kind of attack dog, although larger is better (because it would give a potential attacker pause), but think "Canine Early Warning System" -- if somebody is approaching, a dog who's a routine companion is going to react by barking.

Learning self defense will enhance your confidence, and it will show, and you will be much less likely to be attacked. Having physical self-confidence will make you feel a lot better.

It's very rare to be attacked by a stranger unless you are in a very bad neighborhood. You are in much more danger from family members. (esp. my family members) You are in much more danger in a car - wear your safety belt.

Knowing, and being known by your neighbors, and looking out for one another is an excellent way to be more secure, and it's a nice way to live.

My mental image image of you doing self-defense with a weedwhacker is teh funny.

Eyes, rare, pepper spray... thanks ya'll. Our older dog is big and voice responsive but if I don't watch her closely she'll wander, plus she's as likely to go ape over another dog or god forbid a delivery truck as anything else. She'd love to sit in the truck on nice days, though.

As soon as I cut off the weedeater the fire ants I didn't know I'd been disturbing started biting. So I had ants in my pants and was slapping my legs and gawking because the guy looked exactly like a young Stedman Graham. Then when he started walking away I said "bye, cutie" to the little dog but he half turned and said bye back... he's probably concerned I'm a crazy lady, by all appearances cutting the vacant lot and yard for recreation :)

Confidence is the hardest one, theora. I can barely get the nerve to approach people for new business... it's so dumb.

As I've said before, I work in a church as a janitor. The church creaks and is almost always dark/has the lights off. I have an overactive imagination. Normally, none of this would be a problem, if it weren't for the fact that the church is unlocked and open to the public the entire time I'm there. We have some real nutters too. We have a woman who regularly calls the rectory (where my mother works) and rants and raves at her, among many things trying to convince her that she is "NOT HAVING SEX WITH THE PRIEST, SO YOU CAN JUST STOP TELLING EVERYONE THAT BEHIND MY BACK!!" I assume she's schizophrenic. Another time we had a guy who left an overstuffed envelope in the vestibule of the church, full of hateful, anti-catholic, threatening statements. What a fun thing to find when you're working in an otherwise empty building!

In the summer I usually work outside, doing lawn-related stuff, and like ufez mentioned, I'm not all that worried because I've almost always got some piece of equipment that could do considerable damage to someone. In the winter, I usually just take to turning my iPod down very low so I can still be aware of my surroundings, I check my six pretty often, keeping the lights on, and sometimes have a key inbetween my fingers. I have no idea if that last part is even effective, but it makes me feel somewhat better.

The area the church is in is pretty nice, I think. Only had one or two breakins but everything of value is now behind locked doors in the church. I'm just looking out for those who are... a little off kilter.

... having to cut off and restart the weedeater
Why would you disable the best weapon you have at your disposal? It has everything you could need - scary, painful without being lethal and long. If you've ever run one of those things across your foot, you will know just how much they hurt, but they are unlikely to kill or badly injure someone unless you are really persistent.