Car exhibiting running hot

Car seems to be running hot even though
Temp gauge doesn't show it.  Of course, I
live in the Hot Texas heat. I drove
approximately 40 miles yesterday with AC
on all that time. Temp gauge showed the
norm, not in red. I first noticed the console
where the automatic gear shift & window
roll down buttons are was getting very
warm to the touch then I couldn't roll down
the driver window (electric). Passenger
window ok. I got home and turned off
engine & unloaded groceries & when I went
to restart to move in garage, car wouldn't
start.  Hood over engine was very hot. I
waited a good 30 minutes & tried restarting
& engine started & window rolled down. I
moved car into garage. I checked on car
an hour later & the hood was still very Hot.
So lifted up hood & raised windows in
garage to get some air moving b/c the
garage was getting hot from the car putting
off heat.   After along time, car hood cooled
down. I'm afraid to drive. Can anyone
suspect what the problem might be?  
Never had this overheated problem or
window / car not working/starting. Car has
118,000 orig miles.  Oil level is fine.   Any
feedback will be appreciated.

Jacqueline
(Larry's wife)