Rude Dinner Guests (birds not people)

As summer is winding down (way too fast) and we are getting ready to take down the walnut tree and dig up the back yard we are trying to use the patio as much as possible. We invited Francie and her dad, Bill, here for a nice summery dinner.  Francie lives on Nantucket so we don't see her has much as we would like.  Her dad lives outside New Haven and she comes to visit him every now and again.  Bill is a great guy and we enjoy his company very much- he can tell a story as well as Garrison Kellor and regailed us all evening with tales of his being a ne'er-do-well as a youth (he is invited here anytime and does not need Francie as an excuse to come for dinner).  We have always envied Francie's family dynamics.  As an example, Francie has this great picture on her fridge of her family having a whip cream fight as young kids.  Mom and Dad also covered in whipped cream laughing as hard as the kids.

We enjoyed a little wine and cheese with all the hens, roosters, duck and turkeys wandering around.  The turkeys seem to want to be right with you.  They have no concept that they are birds and not people and have no idea of boundaries. I am having a hard time keeping them off the tables and they actually greeted our guest by coming to the door to see who was there.  Of course the question was asked.... "why are there turkeys in your kitchen?"  And "oh, what happened to his head? (a reference to the unsightly gash the hens gave Gravy while they were living in the chicken coop).  While we love these sweet young birds I think that we are going to have to teach them some manners.  It hasn't worked with the dogs but I am hopeful with the turkeys!  As you can see from the fact that they were all over the table and actually ran through the cheese plate that we have a long way to go.

Francie and Bill with the backyard menagerie of poultry

Stalking the cheese plate

How about a little wine for me?

At one point I felt something on my neck and asked if I should be worried.  No, it was just Gravy who seems to like to sit on people's heads and shoulders.  It's OK now but can you imagine if a full grown Tom turkey wants to sit on your head?????