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Dear Joanne

Your questions, her wisdom — Joanne’s here with thoughtful advice, warm humor, and a listening ear for whatever’s on your mind.

Two years ago, I was lucky enough to experience a solar eclipse in its entirety right in my own hometown — from my very own front porch! It was absolutely amazing. I was so blown away by the experience that I vowed that someday, somehow, I would love to see another total eclipse.

Well, apparently my wonderful husband was listening. Yes, the same husband I regularly bash in this column! Every once in a while, he likes to remind me why I married him.

He took it upon himself to arrange the trip of a lifetime for the two of us. And as you read this column on Wednesday morning, August 12, 2026, I will be in Iceland (!) experiencing the Total Eclipse of the Sun! Can you believe it?? Neither can I. And quite honestly, I’m still wondering if my husband has lost his mind.

In fact, I am writing this column from Iceland right now, so I thought I would give you a little report on my adventure so far:

Joanne In Iceland:

Day 1: Rain and 47 degrees.
Day 2: Pouring rain and 43 degrees.
Day 3: Rain all day. I’m pretty sure it started snowing at one point. High of 40 degrees.
Day 4: Not bad! Sunshine and temperatures in the 50s.
Day 5: Very nice today! Sweatshirt weather and a high in the upper 50s.

In other words, I came to Iceland for a solar eclipse and apparently brought the winter weather from Western New York with me.

When the sun is out, the scenery is breathtaking. Absolutely gorgeous. Mountains, waterfalls, dramatic landscapes — it looks like something out of a movie. Of course, I would like to enjoy those breathtaking views without losing feeling in the tip of my nose.

I grew up in Western New York. I know cold. I know wind. I know snow. I know the special kind of winter misery that makes you question every life decision that led you to leave the house. But I have never experienced it in August!

God bless the wonderful people of Iceland, who apparently look at 45 degrees and say, “What a beautiful summer day!” I have seen people walking around in shorts and T-shirts. SHORTS.

Meanwhile, I bought a winter hat because I was convinced my ears were going to fall off. And also, the fact that it said “Total Solar Eclipse” on the front of it.

We have talked before about the trials and tribulations of packing, but I have never had to pack for winter before. I usually travel somewhere warm and sunny, so my suitcase normally consists of shorts, sandals and enough sunscreen to protect a small village.

Not this time. Sweaters, hoodies, leggings, gloves, and warm socks all made their way into my suitcase. I was so close to the weight limit that I was tempted to wear three sweaters on the plane just in case.

And yes, I am freezing. But I am loving every minute of it. Well… almost every minute. The coffee helps. Although my $6 cup of coffee did make me wonder if they roasted the beans individually and flew them in first class. And then there’s the gasoline. Gas here converts to approximately $8 a gallon. At that price, I assume the car should also come with a chauffeur, a massage and a complimentary hotel stay.

Despite the cold — and the prices — the people here have been wonderful. Everyone is so friendly and kind. Iceland is beautiful, the people are lovely, and I am incredibly grateful to be here.

I have to admit, though, that I have mostly stuck to more American-type foods. I know, I know. I came all the way to Iceland and I’m not exactly throwing myself into the local cuisine. Let’s just say I am adventurous enough to travel thousands of miles to watch the sky go dark, but apparently not adventurous enough to order something on a menu that I can’t pronounce.

As lucky as I am to travel as often as I do, every trip also reminds me how grateful I am to come home to America. There really is no place like home. Especially when home is 82 degrees in August.

So, if all goes according to plan, by the time you read this, I will be halfway around the world bundled up like it’s January, probably clutching an overpriced cup of coffee and trying not to lose a finger to frostbite.

And I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything.

Have any of you traveled outside of the United States? Did you love it? Hate it? Eat something you couldn’t identify? Get lost? Nearly freeze to death in August?

I would love to hear about your adventures — the good, the bad and the “What was I thinking?” moments! Please email me at [email protected] and tell me about your experience.

Until next time, stay warm — because apparently, I forgot how to!

Joanne

On this day in 1981 IBM introduced its first personal computer, the IBM 5150, revolutionizing how people worked, learned, and played. Priced at $1,565 (about $5,400 today), it came with 16KB of memory and no hard drive—but it helped launch the PC era we know today.

Backing Up Your Data: Simple Solutions That Work

In today’s digital world, our most cherished memories, important documents, and personal information live on our devices. From family photos to tax records, losing data due to a computer crash, accidental deletion, or even theft can be devastating. The good news? Backing up your data doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive—simple solutions can keep your files safe and your mind at ease.

Why Backups Matter
Think of backups as insurance for your digital life. Just like you wouldn’t risk going without home or car insurance, you shouldn’t risk keeping all your data in one place. Hard drives can fail without warning, and even the most careful user can make a mistake that wipes out valuable files. Having a backup means you can recover your information quickly and easily, no matter what happens.

Option 1: External Hard Drives
An external hard drive is one of the most straightforward ways to back up your files. These devices plug directly into your computer and can store large amounts of data. You can copy important files manually or use automatic backup software that saves changes as you go. They’re affordable, portable, and easy to use—but remember to keep them in a safe place away from potential hazards like water or heat.

Option 2: Cloud Storage Services
Cloud storage is a convenient option that stores your files on secure remote servers, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and iCloud offer free storage up to a limit, with paid plans for more space. Cloud backups happen automatically, so you don’t need to remember to do them, and your files are safe even if your device is damaged or lost.

Option 3: The 3-2-1 Rule
For maximum protection, many experts recommend the 3-2-1 backup rule: keep three total copies of your data, on two different types of storage, with one copy stored offsite (such as in the cloud). This ensures that even if one backup fails, you still have others to rely on.

Making Backups a Habit
The key to effective data protection is consistency. Set reminders to check your backups regularly, make sure your automatic systems are working, and update them when you add new files. With a few small steps, you can safeguard years of memories and hard work against the unexpected.

Backing up your data is a simple act with a big payoff—it’s peace of mind, ready and waiting at the click of a button.