You’ve told us about the best part of your year so far

To find some relief in a world that all too often feels tumultuous and deeply broken, I’ve recently been trying to cultivate more fun in my life.

This didn’t necessarily mean you should seek out more pleasurable experiences. It can just enjoy good things that happen daily, no matter how small. The extra step of acknowledgment and gratitude for a meandering walk, a pint of fresh strawberries or the rediscovery of a once-loved song has been linked to impressive mental health benefits.

A friend and I have even started texting each other at the end of the day about our good times. Telling her the things that made me happy (most recently exploring a new neighborhood grocery store) and hearing her positive experiences (yesterday, a neighborhood party in the backyard) is now also one of my regular joys. Joy begets joy, it seems.

Which brings me to today’s newsletter. In June, as we closed out the first six months of the year, I asked you what was the best thing that’s happened to you so far in 2023. You told me about whale sightings, a spectacular 80th birthday party, falling in love, memorable graduations, and more.

All of your responses were, well, delightful.

Here are some, slightly edited for clarity. To enjoy.

“I became a grandmother! I am now fully retired after my 35 year teaching career and babysitting my grandson full time. It is a pleasure to watch him grow and develop. Raising my own two kids, I balanced motherhood and my work life, so I hurried through those baby years. Now I can sit back and enjoy every little bit.” — Victoria Evashenk, Cupertino

“My big win this year: I started volunteering at an animal shelter and ended up adopting an older bulldog named Knuckles. He was a bright light in the chaos.” — Barbara Soares, Sherman Oaks

“I went out this spring and painted the native Matilija poppies. After all the healing rains this year, these giant poppies have exploded. I found a few in the Santa Monica Mountains, along the LA River, off the 134 Highway, and even in the cracks of concrete parking lots. — Lois Keller, StudioCity

“I recently went on my third whale watching trip with a friend and we saw a humpback whale break out of the water — a first for me! The whole boat gasped and cheered.” — Barton Lynch, San Diego

“I am really, really proud of myself and my fellow 2023 graduates – many of us started college before the pandemic, had our freshman years disrupted and torn when Covid started, made it through more than a year of remote school and an overwhelming sense of disconnecting from our campus communities and then returning to campus to personally complete our final two years. The class of ’23 is a testament to the commitment, adaptability, and abiding hope of today’s young adults.” — Megan Musolf, Isla Vista

“My greatest joy so far this year is the unprecedented bounty in my hillside garden after the terrifying atmospheric river showers of winter. Plants that struggled to survive through years of drought and scarce irrigation have now doubled in size and are dancing in the wind in glorious color. — Carol Campbell, Oakland

“I first got engaged when I was 57. We met during the height of the pandemic, in August 2020, online, after I did a show about dating in the time of Covid-19. My journalistic curiosity and cynicism led me to find out for myself what happened to dating at such an unusual time in history. — May Lee, Los Angeles

“Since Christmas, my partner, Clebia, has been planning a surprise party for my 80th birthday in June. The party itself wasn’t the surprise – it was the guests. I had no idea who was coming.

First up was a friend from Brazil who I’ve known since the 1960’s when I was a Peace Corps volunteer. Then a friend from Seattle. The next day, one of my dearest Orange County friends came through my door and joined me for breakfast on the deck outside. She had sent me ceramics by mail, so I assumed she wouldn’t come. At the party the next day, two of my best friends from high school came, one from Chicago and one from LA. They brought an album of high school photos they had taken for me. Another couple from Pasadena arrived, and a Peace Corps colleague from the East Bay who struggles with Parkinson’s climbed my 40 steps. A friend I’ve known from San Anselmo since 1973 brought bouquets from her garden, and my neighbor brought me art supplies.

I had no idea that these beloved people would come. If my jaw had dropped any further, there would have been a dent in my floor. I was humbled and amazed that they would travel this far to help me celebrate my 80th year on earth.” — Anne Karin Glas, San Francisco

Where we travel

Five favorite spots in Napa Valley, handpicked by author and influencer Christina Najjar.

And before you go, good news

Tuesday wasn’t just the 4th of July. It also marked the end of an incredibly snowy ski season in Tahoe.

Thousands gathered on the slopes for the final run of the season, some in bikinis or Speedos and some waving flags to celebrate the holiday. That reports the San Francisco Chronicle.

“This has been a sensational year,” Maddy Condon, a spokeswoman for Palisades Tahoe, said from the summit Tuesday afternoon. The resort recorded 723 inches of snow this year, compared to an average of 400, the news outlet reported.

“People come from all over the world,” Condon said.

Thank you for reading. I’ll be back tomorrow. — Soumja

PS Here it is today’s mini crossword.

Maia Coleman and Johnna Margalotti contributed to California Today. You can reach the team at CAtoday@nytimes.com.

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