The Owls of Crowned Oak Estate

The Crowned Oak Estate is a home nestled in the village of French Settlement, Louisiana. I happened to stumble upon it, by chance, shortly after my first husband died. I had known that I was ready to move forward in my life, my mom and I had been out all day looking at various homes and pieces of land on the market. Deep down, I was fighting the choice between buying an apartment in Nashville to live my biggest dreams, or finding a place my children deserved to call home. On one hand, I craved the rush and thrill of existing within a city, on the other I could envision chickens, flowers, orchards, tire swings, and the certain sense of accomplishment that comes from living a country life.

Out driving that day, my mom pointed out a for sale sign as we were almost back to her house. Then we saw the trees. Then I saw the house. Or maybe it was that the house saw me. Either way, I pulled off into the grass and drove up to the locked gate. There is a feeling we all experience when it seems we’ve finally gotten exactly what we’ve wanted. It is even more of that feeling when we receive it as a gift. Moments before I hopped over the fence, I experienced a sublime moment of peace, truly savoring the moment. The air felt different, almost as if it was telling me that even the wind couldn’t claim this one. There was a simple invitation given and I was free to take it.

A few months later, we made the final drive from Tennessee to Louisiana. I drove myself, my two boys, our dog, and twelve chickens into the beginning of our new life. Somewhere deep in my phone there’s a little video of an owl sitting on a bridge I was crossing. I remember being so in awe of how fearless it was of me. I paid my gratitude and I continued moving, now with the enlightenment of experiencing such a moment.

Sometime after, I lost myself. I forgot who I was, Simply lost my balance between loving and knowing. But the home never failed in feeling like home. Sure, I had no idea how I was going to live there, but I knew that one day I would. The home, the alley of ancient oaks, the soil once home to productive gardens, the swamp of cypress trees, and this magnificent wonder-land along the Amite River. It all will be the scenery of the rest of my life.

An owl showed back up, this time with friends, to bring me back. They seemed to bring the message that I was going to be okay. They brought gifts sometimes, too. Once, an idea to figure out who built my home. And another, the push to start writing about them. Soon, I’ll have my book finished and can’t wait to have you all read it. Joseph Segon Hebert, born in 1853, so dearly loved Marie Louise Salassi Hebert, born 1855. We all call her Lise. The first time we met, she offered freshly baked bread and warm maple syrup. It was divine.

Tonight, I’m having an unbirthday party there, at the Crowned Oak Estate. A speech is expected of me but to be honest, I don’t really know what to talk about. I’ve always done my best when something is asked of me. My hopes are to introduce some of my closest friends. Tonight, quite a remarkable number of seats are created for our table. Something new is here.

The owls are asking, are you ready to see a unicorn?