*ar•tis•tic (adjective) lit•ter•ing (verb gerund or present participle):

1. Leaving plastic or rubbish in places you have traveled but doing so artistically.

A Word from the Author: I know that Mother Earth is already polluted with too much plastic as it is, but Baby Hector has been a constant companion in my travels for years now. I often leave him[1] in places that have impacted me personally, or moved me; in businesses that I support, or just places where I think he would look cool (sorry for contributing to your demise, Mother Earth!) My hope is, if travelers find a Baby Hector out in the great-wide-rubbish-riddled-world, it at least brings a smile to their face, or they snap a picture! Better yet though, use the Baby Hector you get with the purchase of this collection to snap pictures of him in your favorite places. All art, both found and original, can be sent to [info@theadventuresofbabyhector.com] for future publication. In the meantime, please enjoy The Adventures of Baby Hector.[2]

[1] While I have always imagined Baby Hector with he/him/his pronouns, both he* and I are accepting and loving of our non-binary pals. Feel free to gender Baby Hector anyway you please.

[2] I started documenting my adventures with Baby Hector long before I was ever aware of the King Cake tradition, also known as a “Three Kings Cake.” Hugely popular in Louisiana, but also around the world, the cake is associated with Epiphany—typically featuring a small plastic figurine, representing Child Christ, hidden inside. As such, despite my complete lack of religion, and while my adventures with Baby Hector have been anything but traditional, I feel it’s only fair to make the first photo: