2021 is the year of the monkey for me — not  according to the Chinese Astrological calendar but because each year I choose an animal to paint and study.  This mom and baby are shown enjoying oranges from the tree on the south side of our house.  Their gaze is compelling — it’s hard to look away. I’ve spent this past month looking  at them, and I feel lonely now that we won’t be staring at each other half the day.  These are Rhesus monkeys and to them we can be grateful for all the babies’ lives saved when scientists identified the difference between RH positive and RH negative blood. RH = Rhesus.  Do you know there are over 100,000 monkeys working in labs in the US today. I’ve been learning about Sanctuary’s like Primates Inc. in Wisconsin that provide a place for monkeys to retire when their work is done. I think that’s a good and right idea considering all they’ve given us.