An ode to the squash

The squash--potentially butternut squash, but we've been wrong before--has been such a vibrant set of creatures! The vines grow in any direction, onto tomato trellises, across the garden to the sweet potatoes, up the railing of the porch, onto each other (where they begin to death-grip each other with their new vines), and even up and over the unsuspecting non-fruit-bearing shrub in the garden. We're tempted to pick the flowers, stuff them with goat cheese and herbs and bake them to deliciousness; we resist thanks to the prospect of butternut squash soup come fall. Apparently though, we can, as long as we determine which of the flowers are male and which are female...and pick the males. Anyone have any tips on this? If so, then we cultivate our squash and squash blossoms too!! (and you can join us for the feast!!!)

Buds and curly cues!

male? or female? any gamblers out there?