Agriculture continued to be in permacrisis, and shortages of consumer goods were customary, but exports of energy and materials, at least until 1986, were providing a hard currency cushion for remedial imports, so that the living conditions of Soviet citizens were better, not worse, in the mid-1980s than a decade earlier.

they descended the river in boats; to descend a ladder

How the little ones and I would do the many chores about the house and make all bright and cheery, hoping to please Papa, but he had always a grievance, was always faultfinding, and if there could be no possible complaint made about thing at home, […]

If you're wondering who to thank for the sight of Will Ferrell struggling through a psychotic episode on a speedway wearing only his butt huggers, wonder no more.