Turtle Soup And Beef.

[title type="h6"]Sunday, September 29, 2013.[/title] The grass needs cutting. But no trick would make the old lawn tractor start. I tried everything that ever worked in the past, and a few strategies that didn't. I think this may be the death knell for the machine, after ten or twelve years of poor service. I wish it had died after the 2013 grass-cutting season ended, though. On the other hand, maybe I'll get good deal on a new one at this time of year. Mary Ann is a whirlwind of activity, washing all the clothes and cleaning up the house so she can leave ML and me alone for two weeks. But she took time out to have a mid-afternoon meal with us at The Chimes. This place is generally mediocre in its cooking, but now and then throws out a surprise. Today it had two of them: turtle soup, which was much better than I expected, in an enormous serving for a price that suggested only a cup would be given. And a sirloin strip steak, which I asked to have grilled with the same brothy, buttery, tan sauce they use for their grilled oysters. The sauce and flavor were good, but the steak itself--identified as Certified Angus Beef--was chewy beyond my enjoyment. This is the problem with strips, my favorite cut of steak. If the grade isn't the best, it's not usually a good idea to order it. Unless you have very good choppers. Project Beaver. (See Dining Diary of September 15.) [title type="h4"]The Chimes. Covington: 19130 W Front St. 985-892-5396.[/title]