I think the best advice would be to get a better profile picture. This one has a rather high creepy level. And I think you're doing fish lips which on a man is very off-putting. Get a normal picture with a smile and proper light.
A photo is your calling card so you got to make that good.

And it's good to find something in a woman's profile, but then find something that genuinely intrigues you so you can talk about that. To use your example cooking, if you see that but don't give a rip about cooking, don't use that.
If there's nothing else, the lady is likely not the right one for you.

And whatever you say, make it a bit more personal without being pushy.

Also... if your name truly is "Some Young Guy", change that. It sounds distant, plus you're 42, not some young guy. Names matter a lot, I think one of the most underestimated things in online dating.

Nice to meet you so and so
That should work....

Wanna touch my weener? Usually gets a good response.

I think shorter messages work better, but ask more than, "how are you"? Something would be, ask what is there to do in your town and do you like living there?