I have been known to burn his crops

Fidel Castro is apparently alive.

Three members of Congress traveled to Cuba and met with the island nation's former leader. As far as I can tell, it's the first independent confirmation that he survived 2006 surgery.

The delegation apparently fell under his noted dictatorial charm. The best quotes on the meeting come from Rep. Bobby Rush (D-IL), who said he was welcomed into Castro's home by his "lovely wife." According to one report, Rush said Castro was intensely interested in Martin Luther King, and requested books on the civil rights leader in Spanish.

I've got a Cuban cigar I bought in Italy that I've been waiting to smoke until Castro dies, and judging from the Congressional assessment I'll be waiting a while.

Cuban cigars: Don't believe the hype

My trip to Italy allowed me to sample the forbidden fruit of the American cigar smoker: The Cuban.

Freed from the U.S. embargo against the Communist island, I bought a handful of Cohibas and smuggled them back in my luggage. Not before I removed the labels and threw out the receipt, of course.

The thrill of doing something illicit aside, I'm afraid the Cuban left me quoting Freud: Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. The Cohiba (Siglo I) was a little harsh for my taste -- as indelicate and unyielding as U.S. policy toward Cuba, as bold as Castro's beard.

Keep your Cubans, I'll stick with my sweet Dominican Griffin 300s.

Good thing I was able to enjoy my Cuban with some duty-free Chivas Regal 18-year, which makes most anything enjoyable.

Guys Week: A cigar is a smoke

Today on Guys Week on the NaturalBlog, brought to you by Axe Body Spray: Cigars.

The first time I had a cigar I felt like I was joining a secret society. I was about 19, and my boss at the evil conglomerate (His name was Earl) bought two H. Upmanns for us to have one day after the work. A side bonus of the experience was my first trip to a liquor store, where we picked up a half bottle of brandy, to supplement the smokes.

Earl showed me how to cut, light up, ash, and dip properly into a brandy snifter. It was fantastic.

The smoke itself I could take or leave, as well as the the taste that lingers the next 36 hours or so. But the experience is unparalleled. There's something about a cigar that makes you contemplative, willing to discuss the weighty issues of our time, like a salary cap in baseball or an idea for a novel.

And if you're planning to buy ol' Natty B. a gift, you should know my tastes have migrated from Upmanns to The Griffins. I have a box of robustos I got for my birthday, but they are quickly running out due to the nice weather.

Tomorrow on Guys Week, brought to you by Axe Body Spray: The importance of playing pool.

What soothes a 3-6 Sox roadtrip?

Cigar, glass of brandy, Cake album from the Nomar-batting-champ era.

This will be my last baseball post for a week. I promise. Unless Roger signs.