A Paltry GBBD

I really don't have much in bloom right now, but soon, there will be a number of beauties.  I know I'm not the only one who has had trouble waiting for the arrival of spring.  Right now, it seems so close, yet so far away.  I am looking forward to seeing what others have blooming for this March's Garden Bloggers' Bloom Day, hosted by Carol, of May Dreams Gardens.

This is a hellebore bud or flower not quite open in the planter on the south side of the house.  I think it's one marked 'Orientalis'.  If the tree in the front yard has to come down the hellebores in this area will not be very happy.  (The person who was supposed to call about coming to give an estimate for rabbit fencing and let me know when the arborist planned to come inspect the tree did not call today like the arborist said he was going to.)
 

This hellebore on the east side of the house is 'Silver Lace'.  It forms the buds a little differently.  The blooms face up more than other kinds do.

I just planted this one, 'Yellow Lady' last spring.  I'm excited to see a bud on it.

I just planted this and a few others in the larger front yard bed last spring.  They will also get the hot afternoon sun if the tree has to be cut down.  This may just be a new leaf, but it sure is pretty.  Oh, I think there is a little flower bud in the middle.

This robin came to see what I was doing.  I love it when they make eye contact.  How could I not take its picture and include it in the bloom day festivities, especially since there are very few blooms?

There's not much going on inside, either.  The African violets are not doing well.  I really need to stop bringing more home thinking I'm going to keep them healthy.  Two of the holiday cacti have a few flowers on them.

This is 'Dark Marie'.  The tag said not to let the plant completely dry out.  Well, that has happened a few times, but it seems to be OK.  It needs a new pot, though.
 

'Naomi' has been here longer, and is in a larger pot.  It gets a few blooms in November, then a large flush, followed by a few here and there.

When I drove home from work today, a neighbor lady was raking the leaves out of her flower beds.  I was thinking it was a little early, so I looked at photos from the last 2 years, and found that this is exactly the week I raked the leaves out of my flower beds.  For some reason, I haven't had any crocus come up.  This spring really is later than usual.  There were more hellebore and other blooms at this time the last couple of years.

I've been following the horrific events in Japan.  My thoughts and prayers are with folks affected by that in any way.