What do a dusty old crocodile, a man-severed foot, and a rat with human teeth have in common?

If you're thinking a nightmare, good guess. Wrong, though, because the crock, the foot, and the rat aren't the stuff of bad dreams at all.

But they are stuffed.

We're talking taxidermy,

and today's story takes us from a medieval church

to a scissor-happy scheming nurse

to a workshop in Tennessee

where Roadkill is lovingly transformed

into art.

And they got a small beam of light against the mirror.

True, weird stuff.

If you're ever lucky enough to visit Italy and you happen to make a pilgrimage to the very small town of Pantinoza, chances are you're headed to see the portrait of the weeping Madonna.

The Virgin Mary, that is, not the pop star.

See, a miracle took place in this small village way back in 1511.

A group of shepherdesses were visiting the town's small chapel, and they were gazing at a

portrait of the crucifixion.

Christ flanked on each side by St. John and the Blessed Mother, the Madonna.

As the young women gazed at the painting,

they saw Mary's left eye open and close.

Blood appeared on her cheek.

As one of the girls used her apron to wipe away the bloody tears,

the painted virgin spoke to them. She instructed the shepherdesses to share the news of this

...