A year or two ago — Who can tell in the blur of time? — my usual blog skimming brought me across a recording of modern conservative forefather and writer of “ghostly stories” Russell Kirk reading his chilling “There’s a Long, Long Trail A-Winding.” I listened to the linked audio file while folding the laundry after circumambulating the neighborhood with the kids, trick or treating. Images from the story have invaded my thoughts from time to time, during the intervening months.