Monday, March 14, 2011

Traveling at the speed of retirees

HOLA!
We thought we were going to an RV park in south Texas just to avoid the harsh temperatures of winters up north. However, we discovered that we had entered a 'parallel' universe that I now refer to as "Use-ta Land". It is located in an area that 'use-ta' be a citrus grove. A local citizen told me, "There use-ta be nice oranges on those trees, but back in 'ought-four' a freeze kilt 'em (she didn't really say kilt, but she just as soon have). Now those oranges are only good for making lemonade." I guess they use-ta be sweet and now they are sour.
Almost every conversation includes some reference to 'use-ta'. "I use-ta play tennis everyday, but that was when I use-ta have good knees." "I use-ta shovel snow all winter up in Canada, but they didn't use-ta have as much snow as they do now." "We use-ta be full-time RVers, but we got off the road years ago." "We use-ta winter in Arizona, but the wind is too bad." "We use-ta go to Mexico, but now it's too dangerous. Besides, the booze isn't as cheap as it use-ta be."
The nice thing about 'Use-ta Land' is that I can tell folks, "I use-ta weigh 120 pounds." And I don't have to tell them whether it was 4 years ago or 40. Maybe I should tell the truth--I use-ta, but...