Hola Bob! I’m glad to hear that the British have someone closer to home to turn to when it comes to forming contingencies.

Que belleza! Absolutely wonderful, Red! Awhile back I was actually considering trying to grow Crabapples on my farm, after seeing the success that some folks in Volcan had with their own ( they  said it was a variety known as a “Hewes” , which I had never even heard of up to that point). But I decided against it. But seeing your artistry on display is really inspiring me to try it!

Hola Bill. That is sad to hear. 

Hola Olly! We call those (Dragon Fruit) “Pitahaya” down here. They mostly grow in Veraguas and there are over 20 varieties of them. But regardless of variety, the eating method is the same: cut them open vertically, and scoop out the fruit with a spoon.  I do not recommend eating them alone, as the taste of the fruit makes it more useful as a component of something else (fruit salad, yogurt, etc) then as a meal on it’s own.

Good idea!

The forum solves yet another mystery. Awesome! 

“People are always asking for it.” …and with good reason. Apple butter is excellent! If you all ever figure out a way to preserve it for shipment, I know several gourmet markets in Boquete and Panama City that would give their eye teeth for some. 😉

Hola Red. Those look delicious! Apple Butter? Wow. I haven’t had that in a looong time (around here, it’s usually Papaya or Chombo Butter, when it comes to that sort of butter variety). Lucky!

Hola Red! Si senor. The locals get VERY punchy when some idiot kills the tree frogs or basilisks around here for that very reason.

Hola BigWig! Ah, a shame: I hear Bonaire is lovely in the Fall. 🙂 Ok, how about something a little more international? Not exactly “natural” (nor is it cheap) but it lacks DEET and it works. Even works to sooth bites after the fact as well.

(Apologies for the out-of-season picture) I always swear by “Bug Pause”. Down here in Panama it is the only DEET-free repellant that I trust to work consistently. Anything that can handle the sand flies mosquitos, and ants here can work ANYWHERE against ANYTHING.

Hola Bob! It’s frightening how quickly our situations change, no? Back when I was Stateside, a million for property ANYWHERE near Liberty City was a laughable suggestion to me. Now look at it! Wow.

Hola Molly! Wow, really? I had a laugh at my mother spending $10 on these things. Looks like the joke is on me! Thanks for the info!

Hola JP! From everything I’ve read/discussed/heard from urban preppers with alot more wherewithal than yours truly, it seems the things you need the most in an Urban Bugout Situation is one these: A supply of these: and to keep these…: …..open for as long as you can manage and constantly assessing the situation. Basically, these preppers argue that urban settings are the most dangerous during (and after) SHTF, since possibly threats will come from every sector and every angle (both natural, manmade, and our fellow man….ESPECIALLY our fellow man). I think that’s why alot of people like the whole ‘get out into the wilderness’ plan: because while there may be many challenges out there in nature, the concrete jungles seem to pack the most apex predators and threats per kilometer (I lived in Miami back in the day and believe you me, I would not want to be in that city when things REALLY get out of hand). 

Hola Bob! Ah yes. One of Virginia’s mightiest sons. You know,  in some places in Nicaragua (where Puller fought during the US Occupation), he has taken on a mythical stature: many Sandinistas fearfully referred to him as  “La Mano Derecha del Diablo” (The Right Hand of the Devil) and believed that he was not a mortal man, but a supernatural force unleashed by American sorcery. One retired commander of the rebel group was told of his passing in 1971 and responded by snarling angrily and saying ‘Fool! He isn’t dead, that damn demon just went home to wait for me. Bury me with my guns!’ 

Hola CR! I must agree with you: sometimes we must,  as Cubans often say, “laugh in the shadow of the hangman” (this is not hyperbole, as every single velorio (wake) I’ve been to for my immediate family and associates has been less a time of grief in the presence of death, but rather a cafe social with the grim reaper as an honored guest)  Also, this one really cracks me up: https://quotesgram.com/img/gallows-quotes/106927/

Gracias, Red! I am 38.  That’s great, I am sure some folks would love to have a person with your skills around!

A la orden, Don Red! This is the primary driveway leading up to the properties first farmhouse, some drone shots of the front of the property (the first few hectares) and the river we have in the back. A close up of our AJi Chombo (think Scotch Bonnet but with a touch of sweetness and a heat that stings but does not overwhelm), we sell the peppers, as well as make our own hot sauce and jam from it. 

Kind of.  Yes, David is hot and humid. But Cochea Arriba because of it’s elevation (it is on a mountain after all) and some quirks of living in the shadow of Baru (the large volcano on whose Eastern side Boquete lies) and being cross sectioned by streams, it is only really hot and humid during the late stages of Summer (and even then, the sustained breezes make it hard to tell). Muscadine grapes (or at least a variant of them) are grown in Volcan (on the Western side of Baru).  As it stands our farm has our hands full with our hot peppers (our cash crop), the yuca (cassava), mango and star fruit trees, etc.