Where to go with custody?

Whenever I read a writing prompt and I can’t think of anything to write about within a couple of minutes I give up. But not always. Sometimes I turn to anagrams just for the fun of seeing what words come from what other words. Sometimes that prompts me to think about something.

Fandango’s One Word Challenge for this first day of a brand-new year is Custody. Outside of talking about my thoughts on the US prison system and it’s need for a 100% overhaul (did you know there are almost 2.1 people locked up and in custody in American prisons which is about a staggering 25% of the world’s prison population? The world. Amazing, isn’t it? (That number has dropped a little over the last two years but that could be because of COVID and since everyone has pretty much stopped caring about that, the number will probably rise back up) (and up and up and up). Seriously, the US makes up 4.25% of the world’s population, but almost 25% of the world’s prison population. What’s going on here? All in this nation of love and compassion and acceptance and redemption and second (or even first?) chances. These aren’t just words – love and compassion and acceptance and redemption – so why do we treat them as such?

Yes, this is too depressing to talk about for the first day of a brand-new year. But check out The Dhamma Brothers because it’s pretty cool. You can watch it for free on YouTube here.

So… anagrams of custody and where they could lead.

Coy Stud – Story of a very unsuccessful male ‘escort’.

Yost Cud – What former Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers manager Ned spits up three times every inning. Or what singer Dennis hopes doesn’t come up when he’s singing.

Cud Toys – Origin story of the farm animal versions of the popular Betsy Wetsy doll.

Stu Cody – Probably some guy somewhere is named Stu Cody and he’s more than likely have a very interesting story. Maybe a cowboy. Or a spy. Or a pro-wrestler.

Soy Duct – Misspelled (and subsequently highly collectible) children’s novel of the soybean that “ducked” and didn’t get made into sauce. He eventually married into the Bragg family, and after reaching success in the competitive world of condiments, turned on his own people and helped develop Bragg® Liquid Aminos.

US CD toy – The perfect give to teach children about compound interest and saving for the future.

Toy Scud – For children with an interest in ballistic missiles. Not a very popular toy and with enough interest from enough people will eventually be discontinued.

Happy 2023.