Ask Rachel

Interesting fact: Mr. Rogers reportedly responded to every letter he received – from 50 to 100 a day. You should be happy I answer three a week.

Interesting fact: The longest Hollywood writers strike was 153 days in 1988. The worst was undoubtedly in 2007-08, which: a) cut short “30Rock” and b) brought back “The Apprentice."

Interesting fact: For several days in the Great Depression, the Colorado governor publicly proposed building a border wall with New Mexico, presumably somewhere between the “You’re leaving Colorado” sign and the “Welcome to New Mexico” one.

Interesting fact: Vin Diesel, voice actor, recorded all his own lines for “Guardians of the Galaxy” in 15 different languages. No word on which one was sexiest.

Interesting fact: One banana contains 3 grams of fiber (roughly 1/10 of the daily need), 100 calories (1/20 of the regular recommended intake) and one banana peel, which, let’s be frank, won’t get stepped on for a laugh near as often as you grew up thinking would happen. 

Interesting fact: The first recorded use of earplugs is in the Odyssey, when the ship’s crew blocks their ears against the siren song. So they deflect not only loud noises, but unwanted relationships, too.

Interesting fact: The Air Force has completely denied that it ran an AI simulation where the simulated AI drone killed its simulated human operator. This, of course, means that the Air Force absolutely certainly did not run such a simulation.

Interesting fact: It seems, for most people, 10-20 minutes of sunshine a day are ideal for getting vitamin D without the risk of excessive sun damage. So basically, pumping up my paddleboard is my upper limit on a lake day.

Interesting fact: Viagra rakes in about $500 million a year. The nursery greenhouse industry? $16 billion. Guess we know how folks really get their rocks off.

Interesting fact: OK, I did not realize that severe altitude sickness can cause brain swelling and fluid to fill your lungs. Please disregard all my medical opinions and advice, especially if you’re inclined to trust me on these things. 

Interesting fact: Real vanilla extract is valuable. Fake vanilla flavoring often comes (seriously) from a goo from a beaver’s butt. Look it up: castoreum. Then try to pretend “vanilla” is an insult.

Interesting fact: Aheda Zanetti designed the first burkini as activewear for Muslim women. I have nothing funny to say about her. She’s my hero, and I want one.

Interesting fact: The first Kermit was made out of Jim Henson’s mother’s old jacket and his own blue jeans. He wasn’t even a frog. So don’t talk to me about not rebooting beloved characters.

Interesting fact: Swiss watches used to be the knockoff version of fancy French and English watches. Maybe someday, these Ray-Ben sunglasses of mine will be worth something. 

Interesting fact: Even the CDC recommends walking on the left side of the road, suggesting that those righties are some kind of disease.

Interesting fact: Nearly one in six Americans are playing pickleball. So in Durango, it’s got to be like 5 out of 6, with the other person recovering from knee surgery.

Interesting fact: The greatest snow depth ever recorded in the USA was 451 inches in Tamarack, Calif. I’m sure they got more cumulative snowfall, but the cold undoubtedly made it shrink like a sour gherkin.