but to the north there was a bank of cirro-cumulus, a mackerel sky, or Schaefchenwolken-sheep cloud-as she remembered her father calling it. For some reason he had used German when talking about clouds and sea conditions; an odd habit that she had accepted as just being one of the things he did. The weather, he had once said to her, smiling, is German. I don't know why; it just is. Sorry.
The character reminisces about her father's quirky habit of using German to describe clouds and weather, recalling his fond term "Schaefchenwolken," or sheep clouds. His light-hearted assertion that weather is inherently German strikes her as both odd and endearing, creating a treasured memory of their shared moments. This reflects the nostalgic connection she holds to her father and how she has come to accept his unique idiosyncrasies.
The depiction of the mackerel sky evokes a vivid image of changing weather patterns, a reminder of nature’s beauty that her father appreciated. Through these references, the importance of familial bonds and the power of language in shaping perceptions of the world around us is illuminated, showcasing how personal experiences with weather and language can leave lasting impressions.
