Getting up early and feeling awake was the one skill he had never truly perfected - he got up, of course, but it never felt natural.
In "Lonesome Dove" by Larry McMurtry, the protagonist struggles with the challenge of waking up early. Despite managing to get out of bed, he never quite experiences the refreshing feeling of being awake, indicating a deep-seated discomfort with mornings.
This sentiment reflects a broader theme of the character's internal battles, showcasing how some skills or routines may elude even the most determined individuals. The struggle to rise early symbolizes a larger struggle for natural ease in one's daily life.