Miss Martha Van Zandt lived in Minooka, a village in northeast Illinois – 48 miles southwest of Chicago.

The village was established when the railroad arrived in the 1850’s.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minooka,_Illinois

In December of 1907, Martha received a Christmas postcard from Louise who mailed the greeting from Des Moines, Iowa.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Des_Moines,_Iowa

The face of the postcard is a drawing of two kittens beneath a spray of holly leaves.

Beneath the kittens is a legend, “With Best Christmas Wishes”.

Neither the artist nor the publisher is identified.

On the reverse, Louise notes that, “it has been a long time since I have heard from you.”

Louise adds, “I assume you are busy just like everyone else…”

The “just like everyone else” may suggest the hint of a reproach for Martha’s lack of communication.

Nevertheless, Louise identifies herself as “your friend”, and extends wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

One hopes that Martha enjoyed her drawing of kittens, that she and Louise enjoyed a wonderful Christmas, and that Martha sent a postcard to Louise before 1908.