A dram of friendship goes a long way

Merriam Webster defines bond as, among other thing:

1. an adhesive, cementing material, or fusible ingredient that combines, unites, or strengthens

2. a 100-proof straight whiskey aged at least four years under government supervision before being bottled —called also bonded whiskey

3. a uniting or binding element or force

A good example of the first is the chemical compound cyanoacrylate, also known as Superglue. Superglue is a fast-bonding substance that works best on fingers, but is generally used on non-porous materials such as refridgerator shelves and broken bits of fourth-grade artwork. It can be mixed with baking soda for a stronger bond on porous materials such as broken rice paddles.

When applying Superglue, caution should be taken to ensure the liquid bonding agent does not come in contact with your eyes, ears or lips. It is not an acceptable adhesive for either dentures or hairplugs, and it should not be used on cotton materials; this could result in a thermal reaction, and potentially cause a fire. (This last is actually kinda cool, although not so much if your finger has bonded to the cotton prior to combustion.)

Varying forms of cyanoacrylate epoxies provide varying degrees of tensile strength - some are intended to bond quickly while others provide a stronger, more lasting bond. Be sure to select a compound that is sufficient for your bonding needs and follow the instructions for mixing (as in epoxy) and application.

Some thought should be given before combining bond versions 1 and 2 above. Superglue may not be the best mixer for 100 proof whiskey; I'm certain the good Father agrees and would likely pontificate that good whiskey has no reason whatsoever to be mixed with anything other than your tongue and gullet.

The third definition refers to a mental state of bonding, one that generally results from shared or similar experiences, or common interests. Usually described by the words friendship and love, these emotional bonds rely on something far different than anything that can be purchased from your local hardware store, and the value of their application makes them priceless indeed.

Friendship may not be able to mend a broken cup, but it can steady a shaking hand or a quaking heart. It has only slight value when the task requires you lift a pickup off the ground, but its value cannot be measured when it succeeds in pulling a person out of the depths of despair.

Care should be given to its application, as well, however; while friendship has no boundaries fixed in age or distance, it is a fragile compound that requires careful mixing and time to cure. Friendship is not easy to come by, and once lost, is seldom recovered. Paying close heed to the ingredients that create the best bonds of friendship ensures those bonds will stand the test of time and endure the strongest pull to part.

And between those moments when its binding strength is needed, friendship offers a whole helluva lot more entertainment than either Superglue or whiskey on their own. Of course, combining all three has some interesting potential.