I'm doing my best up here in MA! When folks ask me why I still have my accent after having lived up North for the last 22 years, I tell them I'm just ornery! Why should I have to adapt my speech patterns to satisfy somebody else? Actually, my family in MA tells me I DON'T have much of an accent anymore, which is funny, since folks up here ask me everyday "Where are YOU from?"
Arrgh! Make that my family in MS!