• Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Snapchat
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

MsMarmiteLover

  • Food
    • Recipes
    • Vegetarian
    • Vegan
  • Travel
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • UK
  • Wine
  • Gardens
  • Supperclubs/Events
  • About
    • Published Articles
    • Books
  • Shop
    • Cart

7 year itch

October 16, 2008 14 Comments Filed Under: Uncategorized

As a statement was put out that Madonna and Guy Ritchie are divorcing, after 7 1/2 years of marriage, my thoughts turned to a talk on relationship astrology at the Lodge last Monday night. The speaker said that most relationships last 7 years, a quarter of a Saturn cycle.

One of Guy Ritchie’s reasons for divorcing Madonna is her obsession with the Kaballah and, as a confirmed atheist, I sympathize. However recently someone dumped me apparently because of my interest in astrology which he said was “as bad as being religious”… that really hurt because I thought of him a friend too. (Although it may have had more to do with the fact that I’m not 25, a size 8, and with a brain the size of a pea. In the immortal words of Sharon Stone…”If you have a vagina and an attitude in this town, then that’s a lethal combination. “)
Men don’t like you to get upset or emotional. If you do then you are ‘mental’. Right. Being fucked, if I may speak so boldly, means having somebody inside your bodily cavities!!!! Literally inside you. Women are supposed to take this lightly? Excuse me if I don’t get over it in ten seconds.
I don’t believe in astrology, I’m interested in it, simply because it seems to work. I don’t know why, it just does. I view it’s unerring accuracy with fascination. There are times when I am more interested… Recently, with the credit crunch, which has been predicted by astrologers for decades, astrology has proved itself worth a closer look don’t you think?

Recent posts

Cheap eats in London

October 23, 2025

Blueberry galette recipe

July 14, 2025

High protein recipes: roast tofu block

July 2, 2025

Previous Post: « Rock n’ roll kitchen
Next Post: Sweets »

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Mainframeguy

    October 17, 2008 at 6:56 am

    err – is this a private affair now? What's the deal with that?

    Reply
  2. corbin

    October 17, 2008 at 11:17 am

    I feel your pain …

    "perhaps i need to turn down the gain on my empathy chip"
    Robert Llewellyn (Kryten, Able) of red dwarf

    ok that's silly of me but I am

    and that's o k

    because actually caring is were
    I'm at.

    Reply
  3. corbin

    October 17, 2008 at 12:01 pm

    "a good man is 75% woman" my professor friend said to me and anyone who would listen .
    which 75% he never said .
    well…
    yes he did ,
    be nurchering, kind,compassionate, maternally loving if you will.
    I believed him.
    partly as it was my nature to be so already…
    good advice for any man in my opinion.
    even the transvestites .

    like my dad …

    Reply
  4. marmitelover

    October 17, 2008 at 4:15 pm

    Speaking of transvestites or 'T-girls' as they like to be known as..
    I'm noticing some sort of inverse law there…the straighter the guy seems to be, the kinkier and vice versa. So today I had a lunch date with a guy who seemed to be a bit dull, computer programmer type. I thought well, ok, try dull. That might work. But no, a few emails down the line it turns out he's a cross dresser but, he said, "I'll be coming to the date dressed as a man".

    Now you'd think I'd cancel it, in that it's so obviously not going anywhere from the outset. However, being me, I a) cannot bear to hurt his feelings b) am interested in Iranian food c) thought it would be an interesting experience if nothing else.

    So I replied to him " Good. Always best on a first date I find."

    Anyway just got back, it was interesting. He runs private dinner parties for 'T-girls'. Could be a business proposal?
    Deffo a niche market.
    But romance? No dice. But I don't mind a man dressing up from time to time, I find most red-blooded males can't wait to try on a frock and a bit of lippie…

    Reply
  5. Ben Emlyn-Jones

    October 18, 2008 at 12:04 am

    Astrology is something I'm interested in too and it's not a religion; it's a mystical theory and that's different. A religion is a dogmatic belief-system, ususally (but not always) involving some kind of supernatural creator-controller being. I've had charts done that have proved reamrkably accurate and so it deservbes to be taken seriously.

    ML, I hope you realize that a woman doesn't have to be 25 years old and a size 8 to be beautiful.

    Reply
  6. Ben Emlyn-Jones

    October 18, 2008 at 12:06 am

    "Men don't like you to get upset or emotional."

    Which men? There are over 3 billion of us and we're all different individuals.

    Reply
  7. marmitelover

    October 18, 2008 at 12:44 am

    Ok I'm generalising but…this is my observation. But then I think many people can't take responsibility for what they do. It's an easy get-out isn't it? "Oh well, she's mental. It wasn't me. It's her. It was no big deal, she's over-reacting."

    Reply
  8. Ben Emlyn-Jones

    October 18, 2008 at 9:42 am

    I know what you mean. When I first split up from my teenager's mum I went through a "women- they're all bitches!" phase because it meant I never had to face up to the truth that I'd simply ended up with the wrong one.

    Reply
  9. corbin

    October 18, 2008 at 12:44 pm

    a little less love a little more common decency – Kurt Vonnegut
    works for me .
    for you ….
    who knows ?

    Reply
  10. marmitelover

    October 19, 2008 at 1:15 am

    Yes. My friend Caro put on Facebook for her religious beliefs: Everybody be nice to each other.
    Hey I want to sign up for that one!

    Reply
  11. Animal Disco

    October 20, 2008 at 10:49 am

    I lvoe this post, but couldn't comment at the time because I had a temporary lapse regarding how to use blogger. Anyway, all that's irrelevant now; suffice to say, though, that I still love this post: it's brave and personal, as well as being beautifully crafted. ML: he's lost you…and it's his loss.

    Reply
  12. tracy

    February 3, 2009 at 11:15 am

    Ooh yes I agree, I don't believe in astrology (after all I study physics before children,I should be all skeptical) but I got bored one day, heard about my saturn returning and it led to me to investiating my chart. It's so spot on for me it's freaky so I do find it really interesting.

    Reply
  13. MsMarmitelover

    February 3, 2009 at 11:17 am

    Hi Tracy,
    Welcome to my blog.
    Nice to hear that a scientist is also impressed by astrology.

    Reply
  14. tracy

    February 3, 2009 at 9:11 pm

    Well my kind of thinking is that just because we don't know how it works yet doesn't mean it's not true.
    We don't know everything, and probably never will.
    It could just be my jupiter in 12th conjunct ascendent speaking!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

MsMarmiteLover aka Kerstin Rodgers.

Chef, photographer, author, journalist, blogger. Pioneer of the supperclub movement.

This is my food and travel blog, with recipes, reviews and travel stories. I also stray into politics, feminism, gardening.

msmarmitelover

My first upholstery project: a nursing rocking cha My first upholstery project: a nursing rocking chair. I used pink toile de jouey fabric and stuffed the seat and back. I used brass tacks. Did a 2 day course at Morley college. I wrote about my love of repair, vintage fabrics on my substack: https://kerstinrodgers.substack.com/p/shoes-fabric-hand-made-craft-repair
Last night made a French onion soup with toasted c Last night made a French onion soup with toasted cheese on top and lots of white wine. Perfect food for zero degrees 🧤🧦🧣❄️recipe: half a dozen brown onions sliced thinly softened in olive oil. 5 cloves garlic crushed and added once the onions are soft. Several fresh bay leaves. 3 vag nope I meant veg stock cubes and 1.5 litres of hot water. 1/3 bottle white wine or a glass of dry sherry. Or both. Simmer for a while then add sourdough bread topped with grated cheese at the end. I used cheddar. Serve hot, sprinkle parsley if you have it and good black pepper. I used kampot black peppercorns. #winterfood #soup #homecooking
I did a private afternoon tea supper club yesterda I did a private afternoon tea supper club yesterday. Thanks to @bro0907 and @imogenrodgersofficial for their help #london #afternoontea #supperclub
I went to a pre Christmas event at @themontgomerie I went to a pre Christmas event at @themontgomeriegarden hotel in Bloomsbury last night. It was hosted by the German tourist board promoting Saxony. I saw mini workshops of crafts from Nuremberg- these little 25 point Moravian paper stars ( each one takes an hour to make), finely whittled & carved wooden Christmas decorations , @meissen_germany porcelain, smoking wooden figurines ( filled with incense, nutcrackers, authentic stollen, Nuremberg ginger bread, white mulled wine and some lovely canapés. Going to try to make a stollen myself. You must always cut it in the middle, so you can put it together so it doesn’t get stale. I found out Colditz, the famous TV drama is in Saxons. I’d love to visit. It all got me in the Christmas mood @visit_germany @visitsaxony_ @visitdresden #christmas #stöllen #germanyinlondon
Making almond chocolate dipped biscotti for Saturd Making almond chocolate dipped biscotti for Saturdays Tea party supper club. Recipe from my tea and baking book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party. #baking #london #biscotti
At the book launch for Pornocracy by Jo Bartosch w At the book launch for Pornocracy by Jo Bartosch with co-author Robert Jessel speaking, looked on by feminist campaigners Maya Forstater @hiyamayahiya and @fionamcanena of @sexmattersorg . The latter wrote Terf Island. This looks like an Old Master painting. This took place @womensuniversityclub a beautiful private members club in london for women. Historic women who’ve changed the law. Left to right: Robert Jessel, Jo Bartosch, Maya Forstater and Fiona Mcanena. #london #authors #womensrights
On the secret platform of the jubilee line at Char On the secret platform of the jubilee line at Charing Cross, now disused, we were treated to a fabulous cheese inspired fashion show by the fashion students of @ualfoundation and @3ddafoundation The cheeses featured were cantal, comté, tomme de savoie, saint nectaire, fourme d’ambert, époisses, Brills-savaging, Camembert, Brie and langres. The outfits were so creative and deeply researched by the designers. @thecheeseexplorer explained that during the tastings, some designers had never tasted those cheeses before. Anglo French @tatty_macleod came and is one of the judges. It was surreal and fun. Afterwards we were treated to a groaning cheese platter table at the bottom of the escalators. Then I joined the commuters of the london tube journeying home. Food and fashion are often opposed: to be fashionable you must not eat. This turns it on its head. @hopscotch_season #london #cheese #fashionandfood #cheesesoffrance
Sunday lunch autumn vibes: munchkin pumpkin blue c Sunday lunch autumn vibes: munchkin pumpkin blue cheese soufflés; baked fish stuffed with dates ( an adaptation of @ghilliebasan’s recipe in The Moroccan cookbook) with couscous and almonds; roast potatoes, carrots with preserved bergamot: mile high filo pear pie: open fire and candles and family #cooking #family #london #sundaylunch
Took Ophelia @ophelia.rose.2022 to @kenwood_house_ Took Ophelia @ophelia.rose.2022 to @kenwood_house_hampstead_heath for the Halloween trail. It was a little bit scary & I had to shoot & hold her hand at the same time. It’s a lit trail around the gardens and house with food, performances and set pieces. #grandma #london #outings #grandmacore #halloween #thingstodoinlondon
my latest substack post https://kerstinrodgers.sub my latest substack post https://kerstinrodgers.substack.com/p/rad-fems-by-the-seaside-filia-25 on attending the Filia feminist conference in Brighton. It was full of controversy: violent protests by trans activists, splits between feminists over anti-semitism. Also talks on surrogacy with testimony, on the Spy Cops case where women were deceived into long term relationships by married undercover cops, plus my observations of the conference.
Just had this window built by @odgjoinery and stai Just had this window built by @odgjoinery and stained glass window to match the front door by @wstoneglass beautiful work. Thank you so much. #edwardianhouse #victorianhome #stainedglass #joinery #restoration #london #kilburn
Stuffed peppers: filled with soaked fine bulgur wh Stuffed peppers: filled with soaked fine bulgur wheat, hazelnuts, sherry soaked sultanas, preserved lemon, smoky paprika, garlic, dill, coriander leaves , mint, and ground seeds, cumin,pumpkin seeds baked in the oven for 45 minutes. Serve with yoghurt. Delish! #latesummer #recipe #vegetarian #vegan #middleeasternish
My book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party is now a My book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party is now available on @ckbk which is like Spotify for cookbooks - check it out or buy a signed copy from my website #afternoonteaparty
Next door there are 2 damson trees in the grounds Next door there are 2 damson trees in the grounds of the council flats. The ground smelled like jam. I picked a few kilos, 3 kilos after sorting through. I put them, crushed, stones included, in a clean glass container, with 1.5 kilos of sugar and 2 litres of gin ( I may add another), I’ll leave them for 3/4 weeks then filter. Damson gin for Christmas.
Fig, chocolate and chestnut tart- recipe in my boo Fig, chocolate and chestnut tart- recipe in my book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party. This is rather adult, using bitter dark chocolate ganache, chestnut flour and figs from my garden. #figrecipes #chocolate #baking
Went for an evening of Turkish music and entertain Went for an evening of Turkish music and entertainment @kibele.london Fantastic margarita cocktails, great food, generous portions and wonderful entertainment. In the end we all got up and had a go at belly dancing, #turkishfood #london #londonnights
I’ve got Covid (day3) so not much food in the hous I’ve got Covid (day3) so not much food in the house. I found some floppy- going black- carrots in the salad drawer, so I peeled and resuscitated those. Chopped them into a saucepan with a couple of cubes of vegetable stock and a litre of hot water. Then I added a couple of tablespoons of smooth peanut butter, a clove of garlic, 1 tsp of ground cumin, half a preserved lemon. Just stuff I had around. Simmered till the carrots were soft then blended in the @vitamixuk I can honestly say the vitamix is my most regularly used bit of kitchen kit. Anyway- hey presto- a high protein soup with fibre. I hope I test negative before I totally run out of food. #solo #covid #highprotein #soup
I wrote this long read for @scotnational about the I wrote this long read for @scotnational about the anti G8 camp in Stirling to protest against the G8 in Gleneagles. I partipated in the camp & protest along with my daughter @siennamarla playing in the samba band, part of the Pink Bloc. The camp was an incredible experience- the possibility of a different type of politics, of horizontal democracy. It was also a lot of fun. But our protest was tragically overshadowed by the 7/7 bombings in London. We wanted to create a new world but by the actions of a few disaffected British Muslim terrorists our positive movement for change was drowned out by hideous violence against normal ordinary people. Here is my account. 20 years anniversary #7/7 #londonbombings #scotland #antig8 #protest #gleneagles
Cheap stuff. Since the pandemic money has been tig Cheap stuff. Since the pandemic money has been tight. I shop at Lidl and aldi for food, Vinted, Portobello and Primark for clothes. The first pic is gazpacho with a banderilla from Lidl. They often have Spanish weeks and other nationality foods at a bargain price. I love those huge cartons of gazpacho- I glug it down like juice, especially in the heat. The banderillas are sold by the jar. Second pic is me in a primark vest, cardi, with an Anthropologie sale belt and old denim shorts from 10 years ago. Sorry about the mess behind, I sold a piece of furniture, a desk I found on the street, painted enamel green with ‘bamboo’brass handles which I sold on eBay for £225 #needsmust #thrift
My tea book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party is n My tea book Msmarmitelover’s secret tea party is now out on the cookbook app @ckbk it’s now out of print but you can still buy some print copies via me or Amazon. However you can see all the recipes ( like my sour cherry icecream which I served last week) on this site which is like a Spotify for cooks. Arguably afternoon tea is a meal which the English do better than any other country. #cookbooks #afternoontea #supperclubs
Follow on Instagram

Archives

Copyright © 2025 msmarmitelover