We have a couple of chairs which are very unique. They look like standard overstuffed upholstered chairs but they have rockers instead of standard legs. Sticking out in front and back, on both sides, are wood rockers.

It has been a tradition for Lisa and Evan to have Evan sit in one of these chairs, and Lisa would pull it way back on its rockers, making clicking sounds like a roller coaster going up that first big hill. Anticipation would mount, giggling would ensue, and then the hill would crest and Evan would be sent flying forward. Great fun ... when he was 40 pounds ... or 60 ... or even 80 ...

But, a couple of weeks ago, on the ratchety uphill climb, one of the rockers snapped. It couldn't handle the weight of this now almost-nine-year-old.

So, it was time for Dad -- aka "Mr. Fix-It" -- to spring into action. With lightning cat-like reflexes, I was up to the challenge of gluing the broken rocker back together.

Today (a couple of weeks after the incident) was my big day ... a trip to WalMart included looking for an appropriate glue. Gorilla Glue caught my eye. I had heard of it but never used it. I discovered that they also had Rhino Glue and Bull Glue. Gorilla Glue was the market leader in my mind so a small bottle of Gorilla Glue got carried to the check-out stand.

After we got home, I read the instructions (as I always do), moistened one of the broken pieces, applied Gorilla Glue, fit the two pieces together, and used a high-tech clamping device to hold it in place while the glue cured.

As I read the instructions, I saw something about the glue expanding in size as it cures. That was odd but I figured that somehow it didn't apply to what I was doing. 45 minutes later, I looked down at the repaired rocker. My high-tech clamping device (okay, it was duct tape) was covered with expanded white foam.

Turns out Gorilla Glue somehow acts like two-part polyurethane foam. Sticks like crazy but it expands ... and makes a mess ... especially on carpet.

So, nine-year-old boys get too big for pretend roller coasters, dads sometimes don't know what they're doing, carpeting can be made to look better with a bit of shearing, and gorillas create a tight repair.