You guys are fantastic. Thank you for your help.

Throbert--So in this pair of sentences, Борис пожаловался, что ему скучно./Борис пожаловался на то, что ему скучно., на то is not required, but there are other times it is required, it that right?
Yulia--Thanks for your clear explanation. As for the "blessings from above", I can definitely use them. Today is the feast of St. Cyril on the Catholic calendar and I've been praying for miracles all day long If I ever mention I'm considering giving up, please don't let me. There are 27 chapters in this book and I think by the end of the year I should be through it and have a good foundation. It takes me about a month to get through each chapter.

Z