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Check It Out: Get in spirit of dancing, swimming with books

By Jan Johnston

Published: December 19, 2021, 6:04am

Last week, I observed how bird-friendly the lyrics are to the Christmas carol “The Twelve Days of Christmas.” In part three of my tribute to the song that just keeps on giving, we run up against the last of the feathered presents: swans. To be precise, seven swans a-swimming. On a recent train ride to Tacoma, I looked out the window at just the right moment to spy swans on Vancouver Lake. I would have liked to ask them if they really go “a-swimming,” but the train was moving too fast.

Starting with gift number eight, True Love bestows a series of what I call “humans-in-action” treasures. I’m sure that True Love had nothing but good intentions when creating a multiday parade of holiday surprises, but after the five gold rings, let’s face it, space becomes a real issue. Storage, dear readers, should be considered when choosing a gift (additionally in True Love’s case, the care and feeding of birds, cows and humans …tut, tut).

Ah well, it’s the spirit of the thing(s) that count, right? I certainly hope this week’s recommendations will get you into the spirit of dancing, baking, swimming and bovine caretaking.

Merry reading!

“And Then We Danced: A Voyage into the Groove” by Henry Alford.

Described by the publisher as “(a) grand tour … through the works and careers of luminaries ranging from Bob Fosse to George Balanchine, Twyla Tharp to Arthur Murray” Alford’s informative (and very witty) tribute to dance greats will have you tapping your toes.

“The Backyard Cow: An Introductory Guide to Keeping Productive Pet Cows” by Sue Weaver.

I have never milked a cow. I really like cows (for a brief, somewhat embarrassing time in my youth I went cow-crazy and collected cow-shaped creamers), but if my true love gifted me with a real cow, I wouldn’t know what to do. If a pet cow is in your future, don’t be clueless like me — check out Sue Weaver’s bovine-friendly guide.

“Mooncakes & Milk Bread: Sweet & Savory Recipes Inspired by Chinese Bakeries” by Kristina Cho.

You might not know how to take care of a cow, but chances are you know how to buy milk at the store, and that means you’re one step closer to baking and eating a moo-licious treat like milk bread. Kristina Cho’s tasty recipes will give you sustenance as you sing your way through “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”

• “Swan Dive: The Making of a Rogue Ballerina” by Georgina Pazcoguin.

Sure, nine dancing ladies would be very pretty to watch, but it isn’t all fun and games behind the scenes especially in the competitive world of professional ballet. This memoir by the first female Asian American soloist at the New York City Ballet reveals the physical and psychological costs of her ballet career while also sharing the joy she feels about dancing.

“Swan Lake: Ballet in Four Acts” (DVD) published by Opus Arte.

“Swan Lake,” one of the world’s most popular ballets, was premiered by the Bolshoi Ballet in 1877. It was composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky who also composed “The Nutcracker” and “The Sleeping Beauty” — two more heavy hitters in the pantheon of classical ballet. Enjoy this performance by the Royal Ballet, recorded at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London in March 2009.

“Swim: Why We Love the Water” by Lynn Sherr.

I doubt I’ll ever have the opportunity to interview a swan which means I won’t be able to have a conversation about swimming. But I can dive into Sherr’s exploration of why humans have such a strong connection with water. Known for her broadcast journalism including correspondence work on the television program “20/20,” Sherr offers a unique look into her favorite recreational sport.

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