I wasn't here that winter (2003/2004,) but I'll bet that's right. The other brief snows I've witnessed were kind of like today: Some rain and sleet and slush, but no real snow that stuck to the ground.

Good suggestion. That might improve the texture. Thanks.

Snow is falling now outside my Kunming window now at 3 p.m.

I asked a taxi driver earlier this afternoon how long it had been since the last snow and he said 10 years.

But I'm pretty sure I remember flurries in January 4 or 5 years ago, maybe 6. The time of year is marked in my mind because a friend and I hopped a plane to Jinghong, and the contrast on arrival was striking. Everyone was peeling off layers left and right to enjoy the bright, warm sun.

Any of you remember the last year it snowed here?

I made eggplant sausage rice yesterday in my rice cooker.

Start with rice plus more than the usual amount of water. Add one cubed eggplant and a section of sausage diced. Salt and pepper to taste. Let it cook until the machine said it was ready.

Good taste and nourishing, even though it wasn't pretty. Texture winds up being something like porridge. Easy prep and easy cleanup. Student food.

Thanks for the tip on Lao Dehong. Not sure I can handle that volcanic chicken, but they are bound to have other selections that are not quite as fierce.