When the Cranes Fly South: Book Review

 

Published in English
19 August 2025

This book uses a technique that helps readers have increased compassion for older adults experiencing their decline. I chose this book among candidates selected by Goodreads for earning a virtual bookmark for debut author. Because this was already translated from Swedish into English, I though that it must be a good book for the publisher to go to that expense. 

I am glad that I made this selection! When the Cranes Fly South is among my favorite reads for 2025 so far. 

Lisa Ridzén shows us more than one perspective about the main character, Bo, an older adult living by himself with his dog.  Bo is starting to experience some frailty so his adult son--Hans--sets up caregivers to assist Bo with meals, cleaning, and personal hygiene. Primarily, we read imagined conversations that Bo is having with his wife, Frederika, who has recently been moved into town to live in a care center given her growing memory issues. However, Bo's conversations alternate with notes left by four paid caregivers and notes left by the son.   

Oh, the discrepancy between Bo's view of himself and the caregiver's views are strikingly different. 

Fighting Fatigue with Healthy Lifestyle Choices

 

Image by Zaytsev Artem 
via Creative Commons

Anyone who is a teacher understands the shock that happens during the transition from summer to fall.  It happens every year. Usually, I try to keep pieces of my summer schedule once classes start up again.  I have learned to stay home during Labor Day weekend so that I can adjust my back-to-school schedule to be more realistic.  It's hard to let go of numerous exercise classes, lots of reading, working in the garden, and having lunch with gal pals. Nevertheless, some of that needs to be trimmed back. 

I found that this year, I had more fatigue than usual. Is my age a factor? 

Note: This post should not be used as medical advice. It is only meant to raise awareness. If you have any questions about being tired, sleepy, or fatigued, you should see a licensed medical professional. 

These types of habits help me combat fatigue, which I think are good for people of all ages: 

Indigenous Elders

 

Image by woodleywonderworks
via Creative Commons

During the summer of 2025, I had the opportunity to attend two powwows.  In the early summer, I attended one hosted in the ballroom of the student center at Brigham Young University. Then in early July, I attended the powwow hosted by the Ute tribe  outside of Fort Duchene as part of the Ute Reservation. (Ute means "Land of the Sun"). 

Most of the dances were organized by ages, which included competitions of older adults (all men or all women). Additionally, the procession into the arena at the Ute location had both veterans and older adults at the front of the procession.  I was a guest of a woman who is Ute, and she helped me understand etiquette.  She also emphasized the importance of older adults to the culture. 

Of course, I have long heard about the respected role that elders play in indigenous cultures: they are storytellers, keepers of important information for living off the land, healers, leaders, and more.  However, I do not fully understand the role of Indigenous elders because I am an outsider (and I always will be). However, I try to read at least one book a month about indigenous people. I am working at being an active listener to the messages in the statements made by people from the First Nations. 

I find it better if I refer people to reading the works by indigenous people themselves instead of having the message garbled (in content, tone, and style) if I try to summarize.  

Here are a few sources (with an acknowledgement that there may be glaring omissions): 

Hiking Bryce Canyon at 8,000 Feet above Sea Level

 

Bryce Canyon June 2025

I told myself that I was in great shape, given that I lift weights, swim, and attend yoga regularly each week. However, going on a hike in Bryce Canyon humbled me. 

My husband has an annual board meeting at Bryce Canyon each June, and this year I decided to go with him. One morning, a group of about ten of the thirty participants and their invited family members chose to do a hike at dawn before the meetings started. This is also a good strategy for managing the dry heat of Southern Utah. 

I expected the hike to be challenging but manageable. Well, I was the biggest whiner of the group! Why?