I used to put on my LP of David Bedford's wonderfully strange Instructions for Angels to liven things up for any trick-or-treaters who came tripping up the walk, or else I'd ask someone in to play that Bach toccata and fugue (you know the one) on my pump organ.

But that was years ago, when I lived in a small town instead of in the back of beyond.

Now, we have coyotes howling, owls whooooing, wind whistling through the trees, bats swooshing, and the disquieting rustle of small night visitors in the underbrush -- no sound system or musical instruments needed. And sadly (though perhaps not so surprisingly), we never get trick-or-treaters...though I always keep a couple of pomegranates handy, just in case.