In this episode, Jon turns in his dissertation again, Anna contracts hives, and Anders squares off with a chicken

I know it sounds like a broken record, but I turned my dissertation in again to a different arm of the university. I should have everything cleared up on that front by Friday. In actuality, I don't think I will be done until they have mailed me the piece of paper weeks after graduation.
Anna contracted what looks and sounds like the 11th Biblical plague. I'm not sure who or what Anna is keeping in bondage, but I hope she lets it go soon. She contracted a virus that gives her hives that itch all over her body. In addition, she has had a hacking cough for the past 10 days. She hasn't gone to school this week and will not go tomorrow. Fortunately, she has some sick days once again. Her steroid cycle should ease the rash and itch in the next day or so. After that, I'm taking her down to the baseball field for some soft toss. Perhaps we can get West Hills Drive renamed Anna Peterson Boulevard just like that stretch of I-70 in St. Louis that is named for Mark McGwire. As a result of Anna's agony, I have been on constant Ando Duty. I'm not complaining and I would not switch places. I did not, however, realize just how important it is to be able to make the call to the bullpen for a reliever. Anna just called this hive-rash "torture," between coughs. We really haven't been able to take a deep breath since Anders was released from the hospital, or more accurately since July 25.
On a lighter note, I took Anders to the last baby story time at the library until the middle of June. There were a handful of babies younger than Anders there. Anders was doing his controlled stand in the circle when the woman who runs this activity broke out her recorder and started playing, which made Anders cry. I think the problem was that she was behind Anders. Anders does not like any noises that happen behind him, or really out of eyesight for that matter. She promptly stopped playing. I never tire of watching Anders focus those baby blues on someone and draw them into his world.
Anyway, our leader brought a chicken named Goldie from home to send us out with a bang. Most of the babies and tots cowered in fear. A couple of toddlers petted Goldie. Anders was the only straight-up baby who went in for the pet. He did the Ando Shake as a sign that he wanted to get closer, which looks sort of like R2D2 trying to get sold to Uncle Owen outside the sandcrawler at the Skywalker moisture farm on Tatooine. And a happy Star Wars Day to you too (May 4th be with you). He grabbed some feathers and looked the chicken in the eye. I understand that the chicken was scared, almost as scared as when Goldie plays Herkie in football (sorry MN Steve).
The other funny Anders anecdote came from last weekend when our friends Dan and Jessica visited us. Owing to a communications breakdown, I thought they were arriving on Saturday, while they were really coming on Friday. Anders did not like that I was on the phone Friday morning, clearing this up. He was making noise, which usually prompts me to put Anders on the phone, at which point he smiles and quiets down. While talking to Dan, however, he remained agitated and hung up on him! Upon arriving, Anders took to Jessica right away, but was more wary of Dan. He slapped and grabbed at his face more than he does to most people, and shot him some withering glances. Dan got even by taunting Anders. Yet, when it was time for his friendly rival to leave, Anders was demonstrably sad to see him go. I must say, I understand where Anders is coming from. It was a fun visit.
So, to sum up, a dissertation is never really done, don't get hives, and some babies aren't chicken.