1

umpire (in honor of the Major League Baseball season, which is heating up)

2

uranium (a heavy metal with atomic number 92 in recognition of the date 9/2/15)

3

umbilical (in honor of my mother’s birthday and the lifeline we shared for nine months)

4

upshot (in recognition of Newspaper Carrier Day)

5

understand (in recognition of Be Late for Something Day)

6

ugly (ugly sweaters, ugly weather . . . your choice)

7

union (celebrating Labor Day and how unions helped laborers)

8

upwind (upwind vs. downwind or traveling upwind)

9

ute (often used when referring to Native Americans from the west; in Australia and New Zealand a ute is a truck)

10

use (in recognition of Swap Ideas Day)

11

ultimate (n honor of Patriot Day and all who have given the ultimate sacrifice)

12

urology (a subject many tend to shy away from)

13

unicorn (the new moon may bring unicorns out)

14

upon (in recognition of Rosh Hashanah that is upon us)

15

udder (in recognition of Felt Hat Day and Linguine Day)

16

uproot (in recognition of Mayflower Day and all who left roots for a new world)

17

ulcer (in recognition of National Eat an Apple Day)

18

uniform (in honor of the United States Air Force birthday, established in 1947—aim high; fly, fight, win)

19

upscale (kick it up a notch)

20

ulna (one of the bones of the amazing body)

21

uncle (in honor of Respect for the Aged Day)

22

umbrella (in recognition of Elephant Appreciation Day)

23

uva (in recognition of the autumnal equinox)

24

ukulele (in recognition of Heritage Day)

25

umber (reddish brown pigment we may see during autumn)

26

ultrasound (in honor of my sister’s twins, Andrew and Laura, born 23 years ago—bet the ultrasound was quite a surprise!)

27

utter (what shall we utter in haiku?)

28

ubiquitous (in recognition of Full moon/blood moon eclipse)

29

unicycle (ride a unicycle if you have one)

30

until (it was fun providing prompts—until we meet again)