boots and butterflies

I think I may be too serious. I can be so boring at times...and irritating but I can't help thinking about things lots. This whole vegan business for example...I love not eating anything from animals - especially milk products and I am fine with the no honey thing too but what do I do about things like my shoes? I have the most wonderful pair of boots that I have worn all winter and will last several more winters but they are undeniably leather. Do I not wear them any more then? Or should I wear them right out so they at least will have served well before I replace them with something else? I think this is best but then that makes me almost contradict my own behaviour. And what about wool?? I realise all these things are necessary to be a vegan but I haven't had the strong feelings regarding clothes that I have about abusing animals to steal the milk intended for their own calves. So can I class myself as vegan or must I be more absolute to deserve the title?
Everyone is asleep again. I love this peaceful time when I can tiptoe upstairs and stand in the doorway to my little girl's room and see her curled up in amongst the twinkling rose lights twisted around her bed and the streams of silk butterflies over her little fuzzy head and hear her snuffles as she dreams whatever it is that makes her laugh in her sleep. I love that she is made partially of me and yet I have no idea about who she is and who she will become....