'Ma' Accent

One thing I've noticed while I've been visiting Texas: people talk different down here. There's a definite southwestern accent in evidence, one which you'll hear quite clearly whenever George Bush is in his "shucks, I'm just a regular 'ol cowboy" mode. What's surprised me is that, after only a few days of exposure, I occasionally slip into it. I've already heard myself saying "ma" instead of "my," for example, or "taahm" instead of "time." I must be easily manipulated . . . Well, baaa fer now.