“Despite home being simply a concept or a phrase,

it wields immense power,

stronger than any charm a sorcerer could ever speak,

or any answer a ghost could provide,

in the most powerful of ceremonies.”

“And though home is a name, a word,

it is a strong one;

stronger than magician ever spoke,

or spirit ever answered to,

in the strongest conjuration.”

“And though home is a name, a word,

it is a strong one;

stronger than magician ever spoke,

or spirit ever answered to,

in the strongest conjuration.”

“And though home is a name, a word, it is a strong one;

stronger than magician ever spoke, or spirit ever answered to,

in the strongest conjuration.”

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens

From River Journeys

I'm convinced that we all express ourselves through metaphors, whether we realize it or not. In fact, I’m pretty sure that the way we perceive and engage with life is heavily influenced by the metaphoric language we use. Take matrimony as an example – perceiving it as a “legal contract” brings about a specific set of expectations, but labeling it as “collaboration” or “a holy ceremony” triggers different kinds of assumptions. In this scenario, “beginning” is a metaphor in itself, signifying a start and end to existence. However, starting at the start is often more challenging than one might anticipate. Ultimately, the “beginning” is just a continuation of an extensive narrative. Hindus, Buddhists, and many scientists discuss the constant transformation of matter throughout the infinite span of time. The Greeks measured their behavior considering their ancestors and descendants in equilibrium… every one of them key players in a continuous, unending lineage. With that in mind, I came into this world on March 6, 1947, born to Arnold Welcome Ayers and Irene Helen Reichert Ayers, at the Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida…

I'm convinced that we all express ourselves through metaphors, whether we realize it or not. In fact, I’m pretty sure that the way we perceive and engage with life is heavily influenced by the metaphoric language we use. Take matrimony as an example – perceiving it as a “legal contract” brings about a specific set of expectations, but labeling it as “collaboration” or “a holy ceremony” triggers different kinds of assumptions. In this scenario, “beginning” is a metaphor in itself, signifying a start and end to existence. However, starting at the start is often more challenging than one might anticipate. Ultimately, the “beginning” is just a continuation of an extensive narrative. Hindus, Buddhists, and many scientists discuss the constant transformation of matter throughout the infinite span of time. The Greeks measured their behavior considering their ancestors and descendants in equilibrium… every one of them key players in a continuous, unending lineage. With that in mind, I came into this world on March 6, 1947, born to Arnold Welcome Ayers and Irene Helen Reichert Ayers, at the Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida…

I'm convinced that we all express ourselves through metaphors, whether we realize it or not. In fact, I’m pretty sure that the way we perceive and engage with life is heavily influenced by the metaphoric language we use. Take matrimony as an example – perceiving it as a “legal contract” brings about a specific set of expectations, but labeling it as “collaboration” or “a holy ceremony” triggers different kinds of assumptions. In this scenario, “beginning” is a metaphor in itself, signifying a start and end to existence. However, starting at the start is often more challenging than one might anticipate. Ultimately, the “beginning” is just a continuation of an extensive narrative. Hindus, Buddhists, and many scientists discuss the constant transformation of matter throughout the infinite span of time. The Greeks measured their behavior considering their ancestors and descendants in equilibrium… every one of them key players in a continuous, unending lineage. With that in mind, I came into this world on March 6, 1947, born to Arnold Welcome Ayers and Irene Helen Reichert Ayers, at the Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida…

Books

Books

Books

Listen to Anne read from “Finding Home”

Listen to Anne read from “Finding Home”

Listen to Anne read from “Finding Home”

0:00/1:34

My story

My story

My story

My love affair with books has been a lifelong journey. For over three decades, I’ve had the privilege of working with students from preschoolers discovering their first stories to graduate students mastering advanced concepts. A proud UCLA graduate, I hold a lifetime credential in English, am a licensed Reading Specialist, and have earned advanced degrees from Saint Mary’s College of California and the University of San Francisco. Along the way, I’ve been honored with awards like the Saint Mary’s College Reading Leadership Award, USF’s Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award for my research on improving reading comprehension, and the "LaSallian Educator of the Year" award from the Brothers of the Christian Schools.


I’ve also been celebrated for my teaching, receiving Chapman University College’s "Teacher of the Year" award and the "Outstanding Teacher Award" from UC San Diego for preparing students for college success. Now living in Pleasanton, California, I cherish the vibrant arts scene—Opera in the Vineyard, Bankhead Theater performances, and literary gatherings at Towne Center Books are just a few of my favorites. When I'm not writing or painting porcelain, I'm enjoying time with my husband, our children and grandchildren, and other family and friends in Northern California and beyond. And reading!

Currently, I'm revising a family memoir, River Journeys, originally self-published for our family, now being prepared for release on Amazon with excerpts shared on my Substack:

My love affair with books has been a lifelong journey. For over three decades, I’ve had the privilege of working with students from preschoolers discovering their first stories to graduate students mastering advanced concepts. A proud UCLA graduate, I hold a lifetime credential in English, am a licensed Reading Specialist, and have earned advanced degrees from Saint Mary’s College of California and the University of San Francisco. Along the way, I’ve been honored with awards like the Saint Mary’s College Reading Leadership Award, USF’s Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award for my research on improving reading comprehension, and the "LaSallian Educator of the Year" award from the Brothers of the Christian Schools.


I’ve also been celebrated for my teaching, receiving Chapman University College’s "Teacher of the Year" award and the "Outstanding Teacher Award" from UC San Diego for preparing students for college success. Now living in Pleasanton, California, I cherish the vibrant arts scene—Opera in the Vineyard, Bankhead Theater performances, and literary gatherings at Towne Center Books are just a few of my favorites. When I'm not writing or painting porcelain, I'm enjoying time with my husband, our children and grandchildren, and other family and friends in Northern California and beyond. And reading!

Currently, I'm revising a family memoir, River Journeys, originally self-published for our family, now being prepared for release on Amazon with excerpts shared on my Substack:

My love affair with books has been a lifelong journey. For over three decades, I’ve had the privilege of working with students from preschoolers discovering their first stories to graduate students mastering advanced concepts. A proud UCLA graduate, I hold a lifetime credential in English, am a licensed Reading Specialist, and have earned advanced degrees from Saint Mary’s College of California and the University of San Francisco. Along the way, I’ve been honored with awards like the Saint Mary’s College Reading Leadership Award, USF’s Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award for my research on improving reading comprehension, and the "LaSallian Educator of the Year" award from the Brothers of the Christian Schools.


I’ve also been celebrated for my teaching, receiving Chapman University College’s "Teacher of the Year" award and the "Outstanding Teacher Award" from UC San Diego for preparing students for college success. Now living in Pleasanton, California, I cherish the vibrant arts scene—Opera in the Vineyard, Bankhead Theater performances, and literary gatherings at Towne Center Books are just a few of my favorites. When I'm not writing or painting porcelain, I'm enjoying time with my husband, our children and grandchildren, and other family and friends in Northern California and beyond. And reading!

Currently, I'm revising a family memoir, River Journeys, originally self-published for our family, now being prepared for release on Amazon with excerpts shared on my Substack:

Anne Ayers Koch

anneayerskoch@icloud.com

Anne Ayers Koch

anneayerskoch@icloud.com

Anne Ayers Koch

anneayerskoch@icloud.com

Anne Ayers Koch

anneayerskoch@icloud.com

From River Journeys

I'm convinced that we all express ourselves through metaphors, whether we realize it or not. In fact, I’m pretty sure that the way we perceive and engage with life is heavily influenced by the metaphoric language we use. Take matrimony as an example – perceiving it as a “legal contract” brings about a specific set of expectations, but labeling it as “collaboration” or “a holy ceremony” triggers different kinds of assumptions. In this scenario, “beginning” is a metaphor in itself, signifying a start and end to existence. However, starting at the start is often more challenging than one might anticipate. Ultimately, the “beginning” is just a continuation of an extensive narrative. Hindus, Buddhists, and many scientists discuss the constant transformation of matter throughout the infinite span of time. The Greeks measured their behavior considering their ancestors and descendants in equilibrium… every one of them key players in a continuous, unending lineage. With that in mind, I came into this world on March 6, 1947, son to Arnold Welcome Ayers and Irene Helen Reichert Ayers, at the Naval Hospital in Pensacola, Florida…