Why Jane Austen is my hero

I'm a huge Jane Austen fan.  I've read almost all of her major novels and watched the movies.  In fact, while I was in the hospital with B, those were the books and movies I stocked up on to keep me company overnight (Mr. P had to come home in the evening to take care of the animals).  My doctor even spent a long time in my room doing an incision check, just so she could watch part of Pride and Prejudice :)  (Thank you Leah for turning me on to the BBC version!).  When I'm feeling like I need to nourish my soul with classic literature, I usually turn to one of her novels.  And thank goodness for iBooks on my iPhone!  All of the novels are free and I can read without worrying about little hands ruining my books!
But I have recently decided that my children will become fans as well.  When they are old enough, they will read her novels and see the prudence shown and true manners.  I find it almost humorous the things that were found scandalous in those times.  A gentleman simply accepting attentions from more than one young lady was improper.  Ladies who were simply outwardly flirtatious brought shame upon the family (Lydia Bennett, oh the horror!).  I hope that my children pick up on these attitudes and see the vast difference between today's world and Austenian England.  Not just for cultural study, but also the practical aspects of that type of prudence.
I'm really excited about R's homeschool curriculum, because she will be doing an entire year of European history her senior year (if we stay with this particular curriculum, which looks likely right now).  She'll read a couple Austen novels and other classic English literature.
But that is why she is my hero.  She preserved that period of time in all its romantic glory for us to enjoy today.