creatures that go MEOW in the night

We have been having some fantastic rain storms since I got to St. George. After work, though the sky looked ready to dump I drove to a trail nearby and even as the rain started I thought as I started out, 'I'll play in the rain until I see lightening.' I didn't even get to finish the thought before the light show started.
I went home and the torrential downpour started shortly after. Guess it was a good thing I stayed in, the storm got pretty nasty.
Laurie called later in the evening and we decided to get in the hot tub at the condo where I am staying.
I had gone over a couple nights ago but didn't stay long since it's not well lit and I already have a thing for underwater creepy sounds. (I don't like putting my ears in the water because of these sounds) Making myself put my ears in the water and swimming around in the dark, the only dim light coming from lights in the indoor part of the pool... I can let my imagination run wild in this atmosphere.
Laur and I were sitting in the hot tub catching up and I was mid animated story when something brushed against my arm. I looked down and saw a bunch of leaves that had gathered in the corner. From the crazy storm for sure. I moved to the other side and Laurie got fidgety, 'Why are you moving, what's over there??' I told her something had touched me and started back in on my story.
Next thing I know she is flying out of the water saying the leaf was swimming towards her. 'It's a frog!!' She was yelping at me to get rid of it. I scooped him up and got out to check him out in the light, when she really starts getting upset, 'What is that?! That is NOT a snake in the water! Tell me that is not a snake!!'
I was getting SO excited, a frog AND a snake? Wow! There was a mysterious creature swimming around the hot tub furiously. It moved like a snake, going down to the bottom, wiggling a long, skimming the top only to dive down and hang around the pump. I put my frog down and got the rescue stick thingy and scooped the snake out, ready to catch it if it tried to escape.
Sadly, it was only part of a palm branch. And the frog took his chance at freedom and took off too.

I mentioned I am watching some cats. I visit two of them daily at the Adams and only have one at the condo with me. She is the definition of a scaredy cat. Pretty Kitty only graces me with her presence in the evenings and if I make any sudden moves she'll disappear again until she deems it safe to return.
I talk to her all the time though, when she is hiding especially, and sometimes she'll come out to talk back for a minute or two.
me: 'Pretty Kitty, you are a nut job. You should come out here and I'll give you a snack.'
PK: 'Meow? Meow! Meow! Meow?
me: 'Why are you hiding? Face your fears kitty.'
PK: 'Meow! MEow! meOow....
I've hurt her feelings. I get her more snacks.

She really does talk A LOT once she warms up a little. And always at the wrong times. Fist night I'm there she comes around chatting me up around 3 in the morning.
The next night I tell her we should only talk when I start up the conversations and until then she should talk to herself, in the other room. She seemed to agree and only came in to jump on me, then ran off when this act of bravery seemed to wear off.
Last night was the worst ever.
3 am PK: Meow?! Meow? Meow? MEOW! all the while jumping around on the bed and head butting me. She will not stop, has a lot to say so I talk back because it usually shuts her up. 'Oh, you poor pretty thing, you need to get out more, stop whining and go eat something.'
4 am PK: MEOW!! MEOW!!!
5 am PK: (more pitifully) meeeeeooooooooooooow........
I reach out to touch her, something she doesn't allow, and what do you know? She loves it!! Wants to be scratched more than life itself.
And after her itches were taken care of we coexist peacefully. Maybe we are friends now?