Q: My mother-in-law mentioned something on her Christmas wish list that I cannot locate. She describes it as “a special garden monocular/microscope that allows you to look at plant leaves for signs of bugs, disease, etc.”. Please advise.

A: She may be referring to the MacroScope (www.closetoinfinity.com). This monocular lens system allows you to see extremely fine details from eighteen inches away but also focuses out to infinity. Theoretically you could watch a bee as it visits a flower, then follow it to its hive up in a nearby tree. While the MacroScope is very nice, it’s too bulky to slip into your jeans pocket. Your mother-in-law might also appreciate a hand lens to carry on her daily rounds. I found a nice selection at http://xrl.us/SEEBUGS