"One absinthe drinker had a mania which made it impossible for him to see a blue silk dress without attempting to set it on fire. He was arrested on a national fête day for having put his lighted cigar to no fewer than thirty-seven dresses."
As some of you have winkled, it is indeed my birthday today, and I claim thirty-seven years on this fête day (although I do NOT countenance the torching of blue silk dresses today or any day, under the influence of absinthe or not). Hurrah!
Searching on "thirty-seven" got me (in addition to the marvelous excerpt above) some other real gems:
"There is nothing extraordinary in the existence of a beautiful, vivacious, attractive woman of thirty-seven, nothing strange in the fact that lovers should collect about her … still the situation is unusual, to say the least … thirty-seven is a very good age, a very good age indeed — if Lady Matilda would only think so, and would only show that she thinks so. Why there are plenty of ladies who are quite passé by thirty or thirty-five — they are full-grown women, they think sensibly and talk sensibly about their children and servants and domestic affairs — those are the things that ought to interest women of Lady Matilda's time of life." (found here)
She was a woman of thirty-seven, rather tall and plump, without being fat; she was not pretty, but her face was pleasing, chiefly, perhaps, on account of her kind brown eyes. Her skin was rather sallow. Her dark hair was elaborately dressed. She was the only woman of the three whose face was free of make-up, and by contrast with the others she seemed simple and unaffected. (from here)
September, 1856, when she was thirty-seven years old, marked the beginning of her effort to become a writer of fiction. She had always desired to write a novel, but she believed herself "deficient in dramatic power both of construction and dialogue," although feeling that she would be at ease "in the descriptive parts of a novel." (about George Eliot)
A Lady about thirty-seven years of age, having an oval face, represented in nearly a front view. She has on a white cap, and wears a very large full ruff, edged with lace, and a black silk dress, and is adorned with a cluster of gold chains, suspended round the neck, and reaching down to the bodice. Dated 1633. (from here)
Oh, and in other birthday news, Rita celebrates her birthday this month, and is offering 15% off at her site, Cemetarian … use the code "Birthday".
Hope you all have marvelous days today, whether it's your birthday or not. (But extra-marvelous if it's your birthday.)
A Dress A Day 
WOOO!!! Happy Birthday Erin! I really think you SHOULD wear a dress made out of cake today, that would be great. What have you actually chosen to wear today? Something fabulous no doubt.Incidentally, I was watching some of the highlights from the Olympics yesterday, and upon seeing the “pretty ladies” standing around by the medal presentations, I said “ooh! Look at the Fauxleros!” My other half gave me a very odd look.
LikeLike
I plan as going as a woman jumping out of a cake for Halloween. I have figured out it will reguire the modification of a hoop skirt and an industrial corset. My daughter is going as cotton candy.
LikeLike
Happy birthday! Yes, thirty-seven is a very good age, a very good age indeed!
LikeLike
a very happy birthday to you!
LikeLike
Happy Birthday Erin!!
LikeLike
Happy (late) birthday from a fellow woman of 37. I loved this post, by the way. Makes me feel a little better about my laugh wrinkles and practical clothing these days…
LikeLike
I’ve often said that I want there to be a cure for aging by the time I am 37, so that I can be 37 forever. It seems to me like the perfect age. Congratulations upon reaching it!
LikeLike
Happy, Happy Birthday (a day late) and Many Years to you!
LikeLike
HAPPY belated BIRTHDAY!
LikeLike
happy belated birthday Erin! 🙂
LikeLike
Happy birthday! Thank you for many enjoyable days on your blog!
LikeLike
Happy Belated Birthday, Erin! Thanks for making the internets both cleverer and kinder, more beautiful and practical and be-pocketed. Also, thanks for the great reading – I love the quote about George Eliot, I’m only just now reading Middlemarch for the first time and am blown away.Thirty-seven is great. I agree that more posts on aging would be interesting (I’m turning 40 in a few months)!
LikeLike
Happy belated birthday, Erin
LikeLike
Ah, happy happy. I, too, will be 37, twelve days after you. So here’s to 37! My wish for this year is to finally finish a dress. Any dress. With pockets.
LikeLike