We could see just three yards or meters in front of us.

Sometimes the far view is not important.

While visibility is poor we can knit, crochet, cook, think, relax, zone in, zone out, sing, meditate, read.

That view of the distant horizon, of the rock outcrop, the banana tree, Frank hanging out his laundry to dry, of Mrs. Perkins driving her convertible, of the shy first words between Hester and Shirley – that view, can be such a fascinating distraction.

We can benefit from an occasional glimpse of the abstract, leave the figures a’counting and leave the angles protracting.

A compass is not so helpful when you are sitting in a chair with no journey planned.

Yet compasses can make good gifts.

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